The Chair introduced the item to the committee and invited the Principal Planning Officer (AC) to present his report

The Principal Planning Officer presented the application as set out in his report.

The Chair thanked the Principal Planning Officer for his report and noted that the variation application was broadly the same as the already approved plans.  He then invited Mr Ben Spencer of GS8 to address the committee.  

Mr Spencer explained that a replacement for the old print works had been sought since 2017, to provide a building that local residents could be proud of and to provide a location for the Random Café.   He asserted that this would be the most sustainable development in Watford, to date.  Due to the effects of the pandemic, it had proved difficult to obtain the necessary finance as lenders had deemed the initial proposal as unviable. 

This variation reflected the assessment that this location was better suited to one bedroom apartments rather than larger ones, with more bedrooms, as this suited the core demographic of first time buyers and young professionals. 

He went on to explain the processes behind the viability study, how the £243,000 was reached and the decision to retain the consented massing.  He commented how this would replace a run-down and dilapidated building and provide a community space with active ground floor, larger frontages and pavement spaces, plus first time buyer housing.  Mr Spencer added that there would also be a contribution to the CPZ consultation on behalf of local residents. 

Mr Spencer concluded by commending the application variation to the committee.

The Chair thanked Mr Spencer and invited comments from the committee. 

There followed a discussion on concerns such as:

·        The lack of provision of affordable housing.

·        The reduction of £47,000 in the affordable housing contribution.

·        The lack of family homes within the development.

·        The small size of the units.

·        The risk, despite being in a controlled parking zone, of this development bringing in a number of additional residents’ cars. 

Various comments were made to address these concerns:

·        The independent viability study had arrived at the contribution figure.

·        It was felt better to remove the additional floor and keep to the original envelope, as this would be preferred by local residents.

·        It was felt that this location was better suited to smaller units and the difficulties of younger people getting on to the property ladder, meant that one bed flats were often all they could afford. 

·        All the units met the nationally described space standards. 

·        There were considerable difficulties with possessing a car inside a CPZ without entitlement to a permit, which would strongly discourage car ownership.

The Chair put the motion to the committee that, pursuant to a planning obligation under s.106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 having been completed to secure the following Heads of Terms, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions listed in Section 8 of the officer’s report

In accordance with Standing Committee Procedure Rules, paragraph 4.2, Councillor  ...  view the full minutes text for item 52