®Planning appeal decision
91-93 Victoria Street, ST. ALBANS, AL1 3TJ
demolition of existing two storey commercial building to create a three storey mixed commercial and residential development, comprising 14 self-contained flats with associated access and landscaping without complying with a condition attached to planning permission Ref 5/21/2731, dated 4/11/2022
- Authority
- St Albans City Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Other minor developments
- Inspector
- Smith J
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- The effect that variation of Condition 2 would have on the external appearance of the building, with particular regard to whether the amended design would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the St Albans Conservation Area
What decided it
The reduced scale of the squints and change in window frame materials would significantly undermine the design quality and articulation of the approved scheme, failing to preserve or enhance the character and appearance of the Conservation Area, and this harm could not be outweighed by the housing and commercial benefits given that construction was already well underway.
The harm to the significance of the Conservation Area, to which considerable importance and weight was attached under section 72(1), was not outweighed by the contribution to housing supply and provision of a modern commercial unit, particularly as there was no clear indication that delivery of additional housing or commercial floorspace was at risk
Framework references: 140
Plan policies cited: Policy 69, Policy 70, Policy 85
The main issues and the deciding factor are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.