®Planning appeal decision
23 George Street, St Albans, AL3 4ES
Planning appeal 3358146 at 23 George Street, St Albans, AL3 4ES (St Albans City Council) was dismissed on 29 September 2025 by Inspector O'Brien L, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether the proposals would preserve the listed building or any features of special architectural or historic interest which it possesses.
change of use of part of East Wing from retail to residential
- Authority
- St Albans City Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Change of use
- Inspector
- O'Brien L
- Postcode
- AL3 4ES
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- Whether the proposals would preserve the listed building or any features of special architectural or historic interest which it possesses
What decided it
The absence of sufficient detail, accurate drawings and specifications in the application meant the Inspector could not robustly assess whether the proposals would preserve the listed building and its special interest, triggering a precautionary approach given the Grade II designation and statutory duties under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.
Although the Council could not demonstrate a five-year housing land supply (triggering paragraph 11(d) of the Framework), the protection of designated heritage assets under footnote 7 of the Framework provided a strong reason for refusal that outweighed any housing benefit
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy 86 of the St Albans District Local Plan Review 1994
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 11Paragraph 8
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.