Electricity substation at Heysham Drive, South Oxhey, Watford

“Description of Application Site 2.1 The wider land around the application site has an area of approximately 1.6 hectares and is located to the south of Heysham Drive and Foxgrove Path. The site contains a parcel of land currently under development to provide 53 houses. The development is well advanced, with many houses substantially complete externally.”

“Relevant Planning History 1.1 17/2053/OUT: Outline Application: Residential development of up to 49 dwellings, comprising a mix of houses and apartments, construction of parking spaces, landscaping and ancillary works (all matters reserved). Approved January 2018.”

“23/0701/OUT: Variation of Condition 4 (Affordable Housing), Condition 5 (Specification of Access), and Condition 7 (Bus stop and Crossing works) attached to outline planning permission 19/2419/OUT (Outline application: Residential development of up to 53 dwellings, construction of parking spaces, associated landscaping, infrastructure works and ancillary works including the demolition of the existing shelter (matters of appearance, landscaping, layout and scale…”

“Given its limited size and the wider residential context of its siting, and subject to a condition requiring soft landscaping to be provided it is not considered that the substation results in demonstrable harm to the character or appearance of the area. The proposal is considered acceptable, having regard to Core Strategy Policies CP1 and CP12.”

“National Grid: [No objection] After receiving the details of your planning application , we have completed our assessment. We have no objection to your proposal from a planning perspective.”

“Public/Neighbour Consultation 4.2.1 Site Notice: Posted 24 June 2025, expired 15 July 2025. Press notice: Published 4 July 2025, expired 25 July 2025. Number of neighbours consulted: 34 4.2.4 Responses received: 0 5 Reason for Delay 5.1 Committee cycle.”

“The Planning Officer reported that there were no updates; the application was before the Committee solely because the council owned part of the application site.”

“A Committee Member noted the essential nature of electricity sub-stations, which were required infrastructure for residential developments. However, it was considered that the location in which it had been constructed was sub-optimal and visually separated the development from the surrounding community.”

“Councillor King moved, and Councillor Lloyd seconded, that subject to no further material considerations being raised, retrospective planning permission be granted. On being put to the vote this was carried unanimously.”

“RESOLVED: that subject to no further material considerations being raised, retrospective planning permission be granted.”