Community allotment buildings at Allotment Land Newport Mead, South Oxhey

What was proposed

The application proposed demolishing existing structures and building a community store with two polytunnels for the existing allotment.

“The application seeks planning permission for the demolition of existing structures and erection of 1no. detached store/community building and 2no. polytunnel structures for use in connection with existing community allotment.”

“It is proposed that several buildings across the site are removed, which have a variety of uses including storage sheds, garages and workshops. It is proposed that a building is constructed in the south-eastern corner of the site, to be used for storage, workshop, toilet, and community space. The building would have a width of some 14.0m, a depth of 6.5m, and would have a pitched roof with an eaves height of 2.5m and an overall height of 3.5m.”

Officer report

The site

The site is a fenced community allotment between residential gardens, with existing plots, paths, trees, sheds and other small structures.

“The site is accessible by foot via a secure gate from Newport Mead. The site comprises an irregular shaped piece of land, some 0.28 hectares in area, which is used as a community allotment.”

“The site is enclosed by 2.0m high close board fencing to its boundaries and mature trees inside the perimeter of the site screen it from the rear gardens of adjoining dwellings. The site consists of allotment plots, low level shrubs, and areas of grass. There are a small number of existing small structures within the site such as garden sheds, a greenhouse and stores. There is a network of paved pathways that allows movement in and around the site.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

An application for a log cabin outbuilding at the allotment gardens was permitted in 2017.

“17/2324/FUL - Erection of log cabin outbuilding at allotment gardens - 29.12.2017 – Permitted.”

Officer report

Officers’ recommendation

Officers recommended permission because the buildings would respect the site, protect neighbours and create no harmful parking, tree or biodiversity impacts subject to requirements.

“Paragraph 13 of Schedule 7A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 sets out that every planning permission granted for the development of land in England shall be deemed to have been granted subject to the ‘biodiversity gain condition’ requiring development to achieve a net gain of 10% of biodiversity value. This is subject to exemptions as set out in the Biodiversity Gain Requirements (Exemptions) Regulations 2024.”

“The application is accompanied by a Biodiversity Net Gain Assessment and Biodiversity Metric. The current landscaping proposal generates a net loss of area-based habitat units (minus 17.55%) The report confirms that it is unlikely that the net gain can be achieved on site however the unit deficits can be compensated for off-site.”

Officer report

Consultation and responses

The parish council and National Grid gave no response, while 60 neighbours were consulted and no responses were received.

“Watford Rural Parish Council: No response received.”

“National Grid (Gas): No response received.”

Officer report

Who spoke

There were no speakers at the committee meeting.

Committee discussion

A committee member said the proposal would improve an unsightly area of community land.

“A Committee Member commented that the proposal would result in improvement to a currently unsightly area of community land.”

Minutes

The vote

A motion to grant permission subject to conditions was proposed and seconded, then carried unanimously.

“Councillor Cooper moved, and Councillor Smith seconded, that planning permission be granted subject to conditions.”

“On being put to the vote this was carried, the voting being unanimous.”

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was granted subject to conditions.

“That planning permission be granted subject to conditions.”

Minutes