1 Bridge Cottages, Sandridgebury Lane , St Albans , Hertfordshire, AL3 6JE

Planning appeal 3376771 at 1 Bridge Cottages, Sandridgebury Lane , St Albans , Hertfordshire, AL3 6JE (St Albans City Council) was dismissed on 16 February 2026 by Inspector Bowyer J, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether or not the proposal would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt and the effect of the proposal on the openness of the Green Belt.

‘two storey side extension and single storey rear extension, following demolition of single storey side extension’

Authority: St Albans City Council
Appeal type: householder · Householder (HAS)
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: residential · Householder developments
Inspector: Bowyer J
Postcode: AL3 6JE

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

Whether or not the proposal would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt and the effect of the proposal on the openness of the Green Belt
If the development would be inappropriate, whether the harm by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, is clearly outweighed by other considerations so as to amount to the very special circumstances necessary to justify it

What decided it

The proposal would constitute inappropriate development causing harm to the Green Belt by reason of disproportionate additions and loss of openness, and the other considerations advanced did not clearly outweigh this harm so as to amount to very special circumstances.

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies: Policy 1Policy 13Policy 72Policy 39Policy 40Policy 69

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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More decisions in St Albans City Council

The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2026

Planning permission granted15 September 20263311314
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202 Radlett Road, Frogmore, St Albans, AL2 2EN
Planning permission granted8 July 20263374921
39 The Broadway, Gustard Wood, Wheathampstead, Hertfordshire, AL4 9LW
Notice upheld8 July 20263360007
39 The Broadway, Wheathampstead, St. Albans, AL4 8LW
Dismissed10 June 20266005367
Beaumont Hall Lane, Redbourn Road, Redbourn, AL3 6RN

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.