Entrance ramp and building works at Three Rivers House Northway, Rickmansworth

“Description of Application Site 2.1 Three Rivers House is the principal office of Three Rivers District Council. Additionally, following the grant of planning permission 10/2174/FUL a large section of the East Wing of the building has been occupied by the Police since February 2011. The site is located within the Rickmansworth Town Centre Conservation Area.”

“The building is three storeys but when viewed from the north (front) it has a two-storey appearance due to the change in levels on Northway rising up to the north from the south. There is a decked car park to the east of the office building with a public right of way crossing it in an east to west direction between the Cloisters to the east and Northway to the west.”

“Relevant Planning and Enforcement History 1.1 8/120/88: Erection of office building and ancillary car park. Permitted and implemented. 1.2 10/2174/FUL: Change of use of part of the ground floor of Three Rivers House to a police station with associated parking, including the erection of a small storage shed. Permitted and implemented.”

“Air source heat pumps within timber enclosure in south western corner of top floor of car park – Permitted and Implemented. 1.7 25/1595/PDNE - Permitted Development Notice: Installation of solar panels – Permitted. 1.8 25/1754/ADV – Display of Flags – Permitted.”

“Owing to the nature of the proposed works and the spacing retained to neighbouring boundaries it is not considered that the proposed development would result in demonstrable harm to the residential amenities of the occupiers of the closest adjacent residential neighbours. The other neighbour sites are Three Rivers House, the Police Station, Basing House and Rickmansworth Library all of which are commercial premises.”

“Highways, Access and Parking 7.6.1 Core Strategy Policy CP10 (adopted October 2011) requires development to make adequate provision for all users, including car parking. Policy DM13 in the Development Management Policies document (adopted July 2013) states that development should make provision for parking in accordance with the Parking Standards set out within Appendix 5. The gross floor area of the application site is approximately 925sqm.”

“The application is for Erection of entrance ramp with handrails, alteration to fenestration, ventilation grills, bin store and associated landscaping works. The Site is in Rickmansworth Conservation Area, towards its northern boundary. The Conservation Area has an Appraisal and Character Assessment (CACA) adopted in 1993. Three Rivers House is a large and prominent building and dates from the late twentieth century.”

“On this basis, there is no heritage objection to the proposal. It is recommended that details of materials are secured through planning condition to ensure they are in keeping with the existing building and wider context. This response has been made with regard to Sections 66 (1) and 72 (1) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 and the NPPF Chapter 16 ‘Conserving and Enhancing The Historic Environment’.”

“The Planning Officer reported that works had commenced in relation to some aspects of the proposed development.”

“Councillor Khiroya moved, and Councillor Gazzard seconded, that planning permission be granted subject to conditions. On being put to the vote this was carried, the voting being unanimous.”

“That planning permission be granted subject to conditions.”

“C1 The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.”

“C3 Unless specified on the approved plans, all new works or making good to the retained fabric shall be finished to match in size, colour, texture and profile those of the existing building.”