Parking Area Adjacent 34-51 Hardwicke Place, London Colney, St Albans, AL2 1PX

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area
• whether the proposal would provide acceptable living conditions for future occupiers of the dwelling, with regard to privacy, security and space
• whether the proposal would result in or provide adequate parking for existing and future occupiers

What decided it

The adverse impacts on character and appearance, living conditions, and parking provision would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the limited benefits of one additional dwelling in a sustainable location.

Although the development plan is out-of-date and the tilted balance applies, the adverse impacts of granting permission—harm to character and appearance, inadequate living conditions due to lack of defensible space, and loss of parking for existing residents—would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits of a single dwelling in a sustainable location, assessed against NPPF paragraphs 115 and 135.