Five-flat apartment block at Land At 71-93 Stratfield Road, Borehamwood

What was proposed

A three-storey infill block would provide five flats, landscaping, refuse and cycle stores, a reconfigured car park and related works.

“DEVELOPMENT Erection of three storey infill apartment block comprising 5 flats with landscaping, refuse and cycle stores, reconfigured car park and other associated works.”

Officer report

Main planning issues

The assessment found no significant harm to character, residential amenity, highway safety, waste storage, biodiversity or flood risk.

“Based on the above assessment, the proposal would not raise concerns in terms of highway safety, and the site is in a sustainable location considered suitable for reduced parking provision. Waste Storage Provision 9.47 Appropriate Waste Management provision must be made for all new residential development in accordance with SADM19 of the Site Allocations and Development Management Policies Plan and the Technical Note.”

“Due to the small scale of the development and the small quantity of units required in order to achieve BNG, officers consider that this would be easily achieved through the purchase of units from a habitat bank and this approach has been agreed with Ecology officers.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A resident spoke against the application, the agent spoke in support, and Councillor G Alexander spoke against it as Community Advocate.

What members debated

Members questioned the relationship with nearby buildings, the revised layout, parking and materials, while officers explained separation distances and conditions.

“-PL 39- Members were concerned that the mass and scale of the proposed elevations were not in line with the neighbouring area. Officers explained that the visual separation of the development with the houses within the site would substantially exceed the 28 metres required. This was explained in detail in the residential amenity section of the report attached to the agenda.”

“In response to a member query, Officers confirmed that condition 9 of the conditions list included within the report stated that materials used for building and surfaces be provided and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Any details submitted that did not comply would be subject to a right of refusal by the Council and conditions would not be discharged.”

Minutes

What was decided

Permission was delegated for approval subject to a suitable legal agreement, conditions and a positive ecology consultation on off-site biodiversity net gain.

“RESOLVED That The Application Be DELEGATED To The Head Of Planning And Economic Development Or Development Management Team Manager To Grant Planning Permission, Subject To A Suitably Worded S106 Agreement And Conditions, And Positive Conclusion Of Consultation With HCC (Herts County Council) Ecology In Relation To The Off-Site BNG Provision.”

Minutes