Nine apartments at 55 New Road, Digswell, Welwyn

What was proposed

A three-storey building with nine apartments would replace the existing dwelling, with parking, a new access, bin storage and cycle storage.

“This application seeks planning permission for erection of a 3 storey, 9 x dwelling, apartment building following demolition of existing dwelling. The building would comprise of 4 x 2-bed apartments and 5 x 3-bed apartments.”

“The proposed building would front onto New Road and would be centrally located within the site, positioned further forward than the original dwelling. The development would be served by a parking area to the rear of the proposed building that would consist of a total of 17 spaces. The parking area would be accessed via a new vehicular access from New Road along the southwestern boundary of the site.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is a wooded residential plot on New Road, with protected frontage trees, sloping land and no Conservation Area or Green Belt designation.

“The application site lies within the specified settlement of Digswell. Digswell sits to the north of Welwyn Garden City. The application site fronts onto New Road, which is the main through road linking it to other settlements such as Welwyn Garden City, and major infrastructure links such as the A1(M) motorway. The application site comprises of a detached ‘chalet-style’ 1960’s dwelling which had benefited from later extensions.”

“The majority of New Road is subject to double yellow lines with some small stretches left for uncontrolled on-street parking, one of which is along the outside the application site. New Road is predominantly residential in character. The site is located within the Digswell settlement area and is not within a Conservation Area or the Green Belt. The Proposal…”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Earlier applications included a granted porch, a withdrawn ten-apartment scheme and a partly approved, partly refused nine-apartment proposal.

“Application Number: N6/1975/0110/ Decision: Granted Decision Date: March 1975 Proposal: Front porch…”

“Application Number: 6/2022/1997/MAJ Decision: Withdrawn Decision Date: April 2023 Proposal: Erection of a 3 storey, 10 x dwelling, apartment building following demolition of existing dwelling…”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the proposal was considered acceptable for design, residential amenity, highways, ecology, drainage and other matters, subject to conditions.

“Conclusion 11.1 Further to the above and subject to the suggested conditions, the proposal would have no significant adverse impact upon the character and appearance of the area, adjoining or future occupiers living conditions, highway safety, landscaping, ecology, flood risk and drainage or other relevant matters.”

“Accordingly, the proposal is considered to be in accordance with the relevant national and local planning policies and as such it is recommended for approval.”

Officer report

Consultation and objections

Fourteen of fifteen representations objected, while consultees generally raised no principle objection subject to conditions or obligations.

“The following consultees have responded advising that they have no objections to the proposal in principle, subject to conditions or obligations being applied:”

“The following consultees have responded that they have no objections to the proposal but have not recommended conditions or obligations:”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent supported the scheme, while a ward member, a resident and a parish council representative spoke against it.

The decision

Planning permission was granted subject to the conditions set out in the report.

“That Planning permission be granted, subject to the conditions set out in the report.”

Minutes