Demolition of garage court, incorporation of garden space at 111-121, Linden Lea into application site and erection of a 2 storey block of 6 flats and car parking

The committee received the report of the Head of Development Management, including the relevant planning history of the site and details of the responses to the application. 

The Development Management Team Leader introduced the item.  He explained that the application was for the demolition of the garage court, incorporation of garden space at 111-121, Linden Lea into the site and erection of a two storey block of six flats with car parking.

Attention was drawn to the update sheet which listed some additional representations which had been received.

The Chair invited Woodside Ward Councillor, Glen Saffery, to speak to the Committee.  Councillor Saffery outlined the concerns of local residents regarding the lack of car parking provision in the area around the application site.

Whilst the eleven parking spaces included in the application were welcome, Councillor Saffery considered that the loss of casual car-parking spaces as a result of the development would impact detrimentally on already congested roads. 

Should planning permission be granted, Councillor Saffery sought assurances that the access needs of local residents would be respected during construction.

The Chair invited comments from the committee.

Members of the committee were sympathetic to residents’ concerns about parking.  This issue was raised frequently in all wards, particularly in regard to planning applications, and had been discussed previously at development management committee.  It was suggested that ward councillors should consult with Watford Borough Council’s parking officers and with their county council colleagues to see if solutions to acute concerns could be devised.

However, since the existing parking issues on Linden Lea remained outside the remit of the committee, members agreed that there were no grounds to refuse the current application.

The Chair moved the officer recommendation.

RESOLVED –

that planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions:

1.         The development to which this permission relates shall be begun within a period of three years commencing on the date of this permission.

2.         The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved drawing:-

                        931.03 Rev.D

3.         No construction works shall commence until details of the materials to be used for all the external finishes of the building, including walls, roof, balconies, doors and windows have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The development shall be carried out only in accordance with the approved materials.

4.         No dwelling shall be occupied until full details of a soft landscaping scheme have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. This scheme shall include the retention of the existing trees along the western boundary, measures to protect these trees during construction works, and new tree planting within the site. The approved tree protection measures shall be implemented before construction works commence and shall be retained throughout the construction period. The approved planting scheme shall be carried out not later than the first available planting and seeding season after completion of the development.  Any trees or plants whether new or existing which within a period of five years die, are removed or become seriously damaged or diseased shall be replaced in the next planting season with others of similar size and species, or in accordance with details approved by the Local Planning Authority.

5.         No dwelling shall be occupied until full details of a hard landscaping scheme, including details of all site boundary treatments and all fencing within the site, have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority, and the works have been carried out in accordance with the approved details. 

6.         No dwelling shall be occupied until a sustainable drainage scheme for the drainage of the car parking spaces has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority and the approved scheme has been implemented in full.  

7.         No dwelling shall be occupied until details of the refuse and recycling store to serve the development, as shown in principle on the approved drawing, have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority, and the store has been constructed and made available for use. This facility shall be retained as approved at all times.

8.         No dwelling shall be occupied until details of a secure and weatherproof cycle store to serve the development, as shown in principle on the approved drawing, have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority, and the store has been constructed and made available for use. This facility shall be retained as approved at all times.

Informatives

1.         You are advised of the need to comply with the provisions of The Control of Pollution Act 1974, The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, The Clean Air Act 1993 and The Environmental Protection Act 1990.

            In order to minimise impact of noise, any works associated with the development which are audible at the site boundary should be restricted to the following hours:

·         Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm

·         Saturdays 8am to 1pm

·         Noisy work is prohibited on Sundays and bank holidays

            Instructions should be given to ensure that vehicles and plant entering and leaving the site comply with the stated hours of work.

            Further details for both the applicant and those potentially affected by construction noise can be found on the Council’s website at:

            https://www.watford.gov.uk/info/20010/your_environment/188/neighbour_complaints_%E2%80%93_construction_noise.

2.         This development may be considered a chargeable development for the purposes of the Community Infrastructure Regulations 2010 (as amended). The charge is non-negotiable and is calculated at the time planning permission is granted. The charge is based on the net increase of gross internal floor area of the proposed development.

            A person or party must assume liability to pay the levy using the assumption of liability form 1 which should be sent to the CIL Officer, Regeneration and Development, Watford Borough Council, Town Hall, Watford, WD17 3EX or via email (semeta.bloomfield@watford.gov.uk).

            If nobody assumes liability to pay the levy this will default to the land owner.  A Liability Notice will be issued in due course. Failure to adhere to the Regulations and commencing work without notifying the Council could forfeit any rights you have to appeal or pay in instalments and may also incur fines/surcharges.

3.         All new developments granted planning permission and to be constructed require naming or numbering under the Public Health Act 1925. You must contact Watford Borough Council Street Naming and Numbering department as early as possible prior to commencement on streetnamenumber@watford.gov.uk or 01923 278458. A numbering notification will be issued by the council, following which Royal Mail will assign a postcode which will make up the official address. It is also the responsibility of the developer to inform Street Naming and Numbering when properties are ready for occupancy.

4.         In dealing with this application, Watford Borough Council has considered the proposal in a positive and proactive manner having regard to the policies of the development plan as well as paragraphs 186 and 187 of the National Planning Policy Framework and other material considerations, and in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2010, as amended. The Council also gave advice on the proposal and sought amendments during the application process.