Children's play area at Millbrook Open Space, Bushey

The site and surroundings

The site is part of a large open green space surrounded mainly by homes, with access from several roads and low flood risk.

“The application site comprises an area within Millbrook Open Space.”

“Millbrook Open Space is located towards the northern part of Millbrook Road, Bushey with access to it also from Bushey Mill Lane and via an access taken from Friars Way. The application site is a large open green space.”

Officer report

Planning history

The open space had no existing planning history.

“The Millbrook open space site has no existing planning history.”

Officer report

Consultees’ views

Highways, ecology, trees and environmental health raised no objection subject to advice or conditions, while an initial crime objection was later withdrawn.

“Summary of consultation responses Consulted: Consultee Date Consulted CLA & Safeguarding Commissioning 15 July 2025 Sport England 21 July 2025 Parks & Cemeteries - Waste & Street Scene 21 July 2025 Environmental Health & Licensing 21 July 2025 Architectural Liaison Officer (Police) 7 August 2025 Crime Prevention Officer 7 August 2025 Place Services - Essex County Council- Arboriculture Consult 15 July 2025 Ecology 15 July 2025 Highways…”

“(revised comments received 11/09/2025) Content that security, crime prevention and surveillance have been addresses for this site and I am now able to support this application. Environmental Health & Licensing No objection, suggest condition and informative/ advisory notes. Highways No objection, recommend informative/advisory notes.”

Officer report

Residents’ views

Twelve neighbouring households objected over privacy, noise, parking, crime, appearance and loss of open space, while thirteen supported the community benefit.

“Summary of comment Officer comment loss of privacy for residents whose windows face directly into the open space See residential amenity section of the report. loss of parking space / intensification of road network / highway safety concerns / proximity to main road See residential amenity section of the report. increase of noise and disturbance resulting from use See residential amenity section of the report.”

“The addition of this sectioned off play area will substantially decrease the amount of open green space available. Use of the remaining space risks damage to parked cars and more nuisance to residents. See character and appearance & natural environment sections of the report. loss of environmental and mental health benefits See character and appearance & natural environment sections of the report.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A local resident spoke for the application, followed by a councillor speaking as a Community Advocate.

Members’ view

Members expressed support for the proposal and proposed approval in line with the officer recommendation.

“Members expressed support for the proposal.”

“It was proposed by Councillor P Morris and seconded by Councillor C Gray that the application be approved, in line with Officers’ recommendation.”

Minutes

The vote

All twelve votes cast supported the application, with no votes against and no abstentions.

“-PL 35- For: (12 total) - Councillors G Alexander, M Allen, C Gray, H Green, M Handley, A Kaza, D Lambert, P Morris, S Quilty, B Rosehill, L Smith and N Susman Against: (0 total) - No votes Abstain: (0 total) - No votes Total votes cast: 12”

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was granted subject to the conditions in the officer recommendation.

“RESOLVED that planning permission be GRANTED subject to the conditions set out in the Officer’s report. [After speaking as Community Advocate, Councillor P Richards left the meeting for the remainder of this item and did not take part in the discussion or vote.] [After speaking as Community Advocate, Councillor P Richards left the meeting for the remainder of this item and did not take part in the discussion or vote.] 302.2”

Minutes