®Planning appeal decision
7 Westfields, St. Albans, AL3 4LW
Planning appeal 3353302 at 7 Westfields, St. Albans, AL3 4LW (St Albans City Council) was dismissed on 31 March 2025 by Inspector Pearce J, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area.
the demolition of existing bungalow. Erection of two new semi- detached dwellings with associated boundary enclosures, cycle stores and bin stores. New vehicle crossover
- Authority
- St Albans City Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- Pearce J
- Postcode
- AL3 4LW
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area
- whether the proposed development would make adequate provision for biodiversity net gain
What decided it
The significant and demonstrable harm to character and appearance combined with the failure to make adequate provision for biodiversity net gain outweighed the limited housing benefits in circumstances where the Council cannot demonstrate a five-year housing land supply.
The adverse impacts of harm to character and appearance and inadequate biodiversity net gain significantly and demonstrably outweighed the benefits of housing delivery and economic benefits, notwithstanding the Council's inability to demonstrate a five-year housing land supply.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy 69Policy 70
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 11
How the Inspector dealt with each one is set out in the app, in order: the development plan, national policy, housing land supply, other considerations and the planning balance, beside the letter.
See how each was appliedThe decision letter
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With an account
What an account adds to this decision
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The main issues, what decided it, the planning balance and the policies and judgments listed as cited are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro and are our summary, not the Inspector’s words; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.