The Western, 205 High Street, Hertfordshire, Rickmansworth, WD3 1BB

Planning appeal 3355823 at The Western, 205 High Street, Hertfordshire, Rickmansworth, WD3 1BB (Three Rivers District Council) was dismissed on 7 April 2025 by Inspector Watson S, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: The effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the surrounding area and on the Rickmansworth town Centre Conservation Area.

retention of the existing public house, demolition of the outbuilding and erection of three one-bedroom apartments (Use Class C3) utilising existing access off Wensum Way, with hard and soft landscaping, including the reconfiguration of the car park

Authority: Three Rivers District Council
Appeal type: minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: residential · Minor Dwellings
Inspector: Watson S
Postcode: WD3 1BB

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

The effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the surrounding area and on the Rickmansworth town Centre Conservation Area

What decided it

The less-than-substantial harm to the significance of the Rickmansworth Conservation Area and the Western as a non-designated heritage asset, which could not be outweighed by the moderate public benefits of three new dwellings and limited economic benefits.

The moderate weight attached to the public benefits of housing delivery and economic benefits did not outweigh the less-than-substantial harm to the designated heritage asset and the non-designated heritage asset

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies: Policy CP1Policy CP12Policy DM1Policy DM3Appendix 2
National Planning Policy Framework: Paragraph 215

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.

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The decision letter

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The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2025

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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.