12-home listed building conversion at Land At Kytes Drive, Watford

“Committee date Tuesday 30th September 2025 Application reference Site address 23/01098/LBC - Land at Kytes Drive, Watford Proposal Internal and external works to Kytes House to provide residential accommodation across 10 no. apartments and internal and external works to the associated outbuilding to provide 2 no. dwellings.”

“The current application involves the reconfiguration of the internal areas of Kytes House to form 10 flats and the conversion of The Stables building into 2 dwellings. The internal alterations to Kytes House and The Stables principally involves the removal of non-historic fabric inserted in the 1990s. External alterations have been minimised. The application is supported by a detailed Heritage Impact Assessment.”

“Kytes Drive is located at the northern edge of the borough off Coates Way, to the north of Garston Park, and partially falls within Three Rivers District to the north. It comprises a single loop road serving Kytes House and 43 dwellings, primarily bungalows, all owned by the applicant. Coates Way borders Kytes Drive to the south, east and partially to the north with Bridger Close (a cul-de- sac) also bordering the site to the north. To the west is the A405.”

“The site is not located within a conservation area but Kytes House and its associated outbuilding (The Stables) are Grade II listed buildings. Kytes House adjoins a large central area of grassed open space with trees which forms an important feature of the overall site.”

“Conclusion The internal alterations to Kytes House will not involve the loss of historic fabric but will enable some of the original principal rooms, previously sub- divided, to be reinstated. This will enhance the appreciation of the building. External alterations have been minimised. Consequently, harm to the architectural and historic significance of the listed building has been minimised and is considered to be at the lower end of less than substantial harm.”

“In conclusion, the proposals will cause only a minimal level of less than substantial harm to the architectural and historic significance of the listed buildings and this harm will be outweighed by bringing both buildings into viable, long-term residential use.”

“The 1990s conversion introduced partitions to some of the historic rooms sub- dividing them into smaller spaces. The current proposal, reducing the number of flats in the property from 12 to 10, will involve the removal of some of these partitions enabling some of the larger historic rooms (specifically the dining room and drawing room) to be reinstated. This will provide better proportioned rooms and result in a less intensive intervention.”

“(b) Quality of accommodation Kytes House will be converted into 10 flats comprising 9 x 1 bed flats and 1 x 2 bed flat. The Stables building will be converted into 2 x 2 bed dwellings. All of the proposed dwellings will meet or exceed the Nationally Described Space Standard. All of the units will be dual or triple aspect and will have good levels of natural light, outlook and privacy.”

“The Chair invited the committee to vote on this item, having been presented and discussed as part of the previous item.”

“On being put to the committee, the officer’s recommendation was approved.”

“That listed building consent be granted subject to the following conditions:”

“No dwelling with Kytes House or The Stables shall be occupied until full details of a soft and hard landscaping scheme for the proposed garden area for Kytes House and the areas adjoining Kytes House and The Stables, as shown in principle on drawing no. AA9819-PRP-ZZ-ZZ-DR-A- 2004D, have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.”