Car park, cafe and park entrance at Meadow Park, Broughinge Road, Borehamwood

“DEVELOPMENT Re-modelling of Brook Road Car Park, construction of a cafe with public toilets, addition of a tree lined pedestrian access creating a new entrance to the park, and installation of external lighting and additional CCTV.”

“The proposed development site falls within a large, public recreational facility known locally as Meadow Park. The whole area, inclusive of the existing on- site car park is operated and maintained by Hertsmere Borough Council. Meadow Park is made up of substantial areas of open grass land with a wildflower meadow and boasts a wide range of outdoor facilities within the park grounds.”

“Immediately to the north is Boreham Wood Football Club including a football stadium complete with spectator stands and ancillary uses. Existing access points are available off Brook Road that give direct access to the available on- site pay and display car parking facility which presently allows parking for up to 143 vehicles, with an element of disabled parking bays available within this parking stock for up to 11 vehicles.”

“A secure fenced route for football spectators has been introduced along the north boundary of the car park, closest to the football club. Visiting spectators required to enter the ground via the south end turnstiles will arrive on foot if travelling by public transport (bus or train). Spectators travelling by car will mostly seek to use the Brook Road car park or be set down if arriving by private coach.”

“However, concerns were raised regarding the sensitive boundary to the adjacent dwelling along Broughinge Road. It was noted that the proximity of the car park to this dwelling may raise concerns about the visual and residential amenity. The café is positioned close to the core sporting and social activities (tennis and basketball courts, multi-use games area and the splash park).”

“Overall, this office recommends a holding objection to address the concerns highlighted as part of our response to this consultation. Further documentations submitted for review Further submissions should confirm whether any statutory tree protections apply to the site and assess the implications of the proposal.”

“(Officer comment – the required documents have been submitted and Officers are awaiting comments from PS Arboriculture. These comments will be provided to Members either via the update sheet or verbally). Ecology Application can be determined with Conditions and Informatives listed, but the applicant may which to amend the metric prior to determination if they are to benefit from the lower BNG requirements allowable according to Government guidance.”

“Please can it be explained how many parking spaces will be lost (if any) if these works go ahead. Our clinicians and some staff pay for spaces in Brook Road so that we give parking spaces to our patients in our small carpark at Fairbrook. Other patients use the Brook Road car park and walk across. • Who would own and manage the café? How much space, if any, would the car park lose? This results in dangerous and illegal parking in Broughinge Road and the surrounding area.”

“Officer’s comments: Officers note the concerns raised about the impact on traffic and car parking considerations and that these will be assessed as part of the following report. Officers note the car parking capacity is set to increase from the existing with no concern raised from Highways in relation to access, vehicular flow or egress.”

“26/0166/FUL Meadow Park, Broughinge Road, Borehamwood The Planning Officer presented the application which was for: ‘Re- modelling of Brook Road Car Park, construction of a cafe with public toilets, addition of a tree lined pedestrian access creating a new entrance to the park, and installation of external lighting and additional CCTV.”

“Members supported the proposal and welcomed improvements to the car park, including upgrades to community safety measures and Electric Vehicle charging points.”

“It was proposed by: Councillor C Gray, seconded by Councillor M Amron that the recommendations as set out in the report be agreed.”

“For: (11 total) – Councillors L Silver, M Handley, A Kaza, P Morris, S Quilty, C Gray, H Green, M Amron, D Lambert, M Allen, N Susman. Against: (0 total) – No votes. Abstain: (0 total) – No votes. Total votes cast: 11”

“RESOLVED that permission be GRANTED subject to conditions, and subject to no further objections made by Place Services Arboriculture with delegation to Officers to amend the details as appropriate and update it in line with the new National Planning Policy Framework 2026.”