Planning appeal decision
Land Fronting 79 Watling Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 2QF
Planning appeal 3365135 at Land Fronting 79 Watling Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 2QF (St Albans City Council) was dismissed on 14 October 2025 by Inspector Barnes D, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: the effects of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the streetscene.
for the erection of a new dwelling with access and associated works
- Authority
- St Albans City Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Other minor developments
- Inspector
- Barnes D
- Postcode
- AL1 2QF
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- the effects of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the streetscene
- the living standards of the future occupiers
What decided it
The adverse impacts of the proposed development—unacceptable harm to the character and appearance of the streetscene and failure to provide satisfactory living standards for future occupiers—significantly and demonstrably outweighed the limited benefits of housing delivery and construction jobs.
the limited benefits of a single dwelling and construction jobs were significantly outweighed by the unacceptable harm to character and appearance and failure to provide satisfactory living standards, with the adverse impacts significantly and demonstrably outweighing the identified benefits
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy 69Policy 70
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 11Paragraph 12
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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- Invalid17 September 2026600824718 Manland Way, Harpenden, AL5 4QS
- Planning permission granted15 September 20263311314Land at Former Butterfly World, Miriam Lane, St. Albans, Hertfordshire, AL2 3NY
- Notice upheld15 September 20263311308Land at Former Butterfly World, Miriam Lane, St. Albans, Hertfordshire, AL2 3NY
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.
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