Report of the Head of Development Management to consider the erection of a new detached dwelling house

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 report explaining that the application was for the erection of a new detached dwelling house of a similar scale and design to the existing housing on the road.  Access would be from a short spur off Beechpark Way.  There would be two parking spaces provided on the driveway in front of the house.

It was noted that some photographs had been submitted by local residents objecting to the application.  These had been circulated to committee members prior to the meeting.

The Chair invited Mr David Bowsher, a local resident, to speak against the application.  Speaking on behalf of local residents, Mr Bowsher drew the committee’s attention to the parking concerns of those living around the access spur to the proposed development.

Acknowledging that there was a growing trend for households to have several vehicles, Mr Bowsher explained that these additional vehicles were often parked on the road, restricting access and visibility on the highway.  The situation was exacerbated by visitors and trades people to properties.  Residents were concerned about the highway safety implications of adding a further household to this site.

In response to a query from the Chair, the Development Management Team Leader confirmed that concerns about highway safety were considered carefully in the planning process.  However, Beechpark Way was a cul de sac and had no through traffic.  The road was sufficiently wide to accommodate on-street parking without obstructing the flow of traffic.  There was good visibility and no parking restrictions.  All houses had integral garages and driveways providing on-site parking.

Thanking the speaker, the Chair invited comments from the committee.

The committee expressed sympathy with residents’ frustration about current parking arrangements in Beechpark Way.  Parking was a problem for many residents across the borough.  However, it was noted that Hertfordshire County Council as Highway Authority had not raised any objections to the development.  The proposed parking provision was also in line with the council’s own policies. 

Committee members observed that the proposed house would be very similar in scale and design to the existing house in the site and to the houses on Beechpark Way.  Therefore, it would not harm the character and appearance of the area.

There were no grounds to refuse planning permission.

Moving the officer’s recommendation, the Chair reiterated the committee’s view that parking was an irritation for many residents in the town.  He advised that parking control measures, which lay outside planning control, might provide a solution to current concerns.  This process could be assisted by local ward councillors.

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 drawings:-

                        Sheet 2, Sheet 4

3.         No development shall commence until details of the bricks to be used for the walls and the tiles to be used for the roofs 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 soakaways shall be constructed to serve the development until details of the siting, size and depth of the soakaways (having particular regard to the preserved trees on and adjoining the site, have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The soakaways shall only be constructed in accordance with the approved details.

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.