®Planning appeal decision
Harpenden Fire Station , Station Road, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JB
for erection of two detached houses, associated landscaping and access
- Authority
- St Albans City Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- Walker C
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- the effect of the development on the character and appearance of the area, including the Harpenden Conservation Area, having particular regard to trees
- the effect of the development on ecology
What decided it
The loss of mature trees that significantly contribute to the character and appearance of the conservation area, combined with insufficient ecological survey information to assess effects on bats, meant the proposal could not be approved despite the absence of a five-year housing land supply.
The modest public benefits of delivering two family dwellings in a sustainable location were outweighed by the less than substantial harm to the conservation area through tree loss and the uncertainty regarding ecological effects on protected species.
Framework references: 11, 136, 193, 212, 215
Plan policies cited: Policy 69, Policy 70, Policy 74, Policy 85, Policy 106, Policy ESD2, Policy ESD9, Policy ESD13, Policy ESD14
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.