The Principal Planning Officer delivered her report.

The Chair then invited Councillor Clarke-Taylor, the Ward Councillor for Oxhey Ward to address the committee. 

Councillor Clarke-Taylor explained that she had conducted a site visit with residents and was speaking on their behalf.  She thanked the officer for her recommendation to refuse and pointed out that the hard landscaping was highly inappropriate for the area; it was hard and cold and would have an adverse visual impact on residents.  The area, in contrast, was characterised by soft and impeccable green gardens. 

The tall fences were overbearing and residents had suggested that neat hedging would be far more suited to the area.  The lack of trees was also noticeable because of its stark contrast to the surrounding area.  Trees subject to Tree Preservation Orders had been removed to make way for the building and the applicant was proposing not to replace them, despite a condition to do so.  She went on to describe the issues in more detail and also commented on the importance of retaining as much biodiversity and green space as possible, in a borough that was so built up.  The councillor summed up and urged the committee to align with the officer’s recommendation and refuse the application. 

The Chair thanked Councillor Clarke-Taylor and invited comment from the committee.

There was general assent that the application was flawed and unsuitable for the area, but a question was raised as to the consequence of refusal.  If refused, it was queried whether the hard landscaping currently would be allowed to remain in place.

The Head of Planning and Development explained that the matter had been reported for enforcement and therefore was subject to a current enforcement investigation.  Accordingly, it would be inappropriate to comment further. 

The Chair moved the officer’s recommendation to refuse section 73 application for the variation of condition 8 of planning permission 19/01411/VAR.

RESOLVED –

That the application be refused as the proposed landscaping scheme would be of a poor quality that would not positively contribute towards the character and appearance of the site, the development or the surrounding area and would not provide good amenity for residents. The scheme fails to include appropriate tree planting to replace trees lost to allow for the development, it has poor boundary treatments, inadequate ground cover and planting and insufficient detail in respect of hedging planting. As such, the landscaping scheme would fail to accord with policy UD1 of the Watford Local Plan Core Strategy and saved policy SE37 of the Watford District Plan.