48-bedroom hotel extension at Village Hotel Centennial Park, Elstree, Borehamwood

What was proposed

The application proposed a five-storey hotel extension with 48 bedrooms, a link bridge, undercroft parking and an enlarged pub and grill.

“The proposed extension would be located to the east of the existing hotel and would connect to the existing hotel via a link bridge at the first-floor level and above. The extension includes an under croft to incorporate car parking at ground floor level. The siting of the proposed hotel extension would be located on land which is currently used as the hotel carpark, and thus would reduce parking availability at the site with a loss of 38 no. parking spaces.”

“The general layout of the existing hotel car park would be largely unchanged with proposed alterations concentrated around the east of the hotel, where the proposed extension would be located. The incorporation of an under croft into the design of the proposed extension has enabled parking to be maintained where the proposal would be located. Existing cycle parking would be retained in a store to the south of the proposed extension.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The existing hotel sits in a business park and Green Belt location, with commercial units nearby, open fields to the north and east, and 312 parking spaces.

“The existing site has an associated car parking provision of 312 no. spaces. This existing provision consists of 294 no. car parking space and 18 no. disabled parking spaces. The car park allows for four hours of free parking, after which a charge is applied, with patrons that stay overnight provided with free parking. A total of 34 no. cycle parking spaces are also provided as covered cycle racks within the car park, to the east of the hotel building.”

“The application site is bound towards the south by Centennial Avenue, from which the site takes its existing access from, with open fields towards the north and east and towards the west by industrial units. Towards the north lies Aldenham Country Park with residential properties within Elstree situated towards the northeast of the site.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

Earlier permissions covered the hotel, a rear extension, signage and a previous appeal, with the appeal dismissed in 2009.

“Reference number Description Date and outcome TP/08/1254/APP Appeal: Development Appeal 24 February 2009 Appeal Dismissed…”

“15/2198/FUL Erection of single storey rear extension. March 2016 Grant Permission TP/08/1254 Installation of 2 static, internally illuminated Hotel Signage to rear elevation and one internally illuminated totem sign. (Application for Advertisement Consent) 22 October 2008 Partly Approved TP/08/0355 Installation of static, internally illuminated hotel signage to rear elevation (Application for Advert Consent).”

Officer report

Neighbour objections

Six neighbours objected over traffic, parking, illegal parking, rubbish, construction noise, notification and missing construction information.

“The increase in traffic movements and increased pressure on parking within the existing business park along with a risk to highway safety – this issue is discussed within the highways section of the report. • Risk of an increase in illegal parking – this is not a material planning consideration and instead is covered by the relevant highway legislation and controls.”

“Noise and traffic disturbance from construction works – an appropriate construction management condition is recommended. • The correct notice has not been served on the freeholder (Centennial Park Management Company Ltd) – Officers can confirm that the Certificate B notification has been served on the Centennial Park Management Company on the 5 th December 2024.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A speaker addressed the committee on behalf of the agent in support of the application.

Members’ view

Members welcomed the application and proposed accepting the officer recommendation.

“It was proposed by: Councillor M Allen, seconded by Councillor D Lambert that the recommendations as set out in the Officer report be agreed.”

Minutes

The vote

All 12 votes supported the proposal, with no votes against and no abstentions.

“For: (12 total) - Councillors M Allen, M Amron, G Briski, A Kaza, P Kaza, D Lambert, P Morris, B Rosehill, C Shenton, L Smith, N Susman, H Green Against: (0 total) - No votes Abstain: (0 total) - No votes Total votes cast: 12”

Minutes

The decision

The application was delegated to the relevant planning managers to grant planning permission subject to conditions.

“RESOLVED that the application be DELEGATED to the Head of Planning and Economic Development or Development…”

“-PL 83- Management Team Manager to Grant Planning Permission, subject to conditions.”

Minutes