Issue - meetings

The Development Management Manager delivered his report.

            The Chair then invited Mr Manish Kumar to address the committee.  Mr Kumar explained that he was a resident of flat 14 Junction Court and that his elderly parents also lived at flat 14 with direct access to the large communal roof terrace amenity area.  He went on to detail anti-social behaviour, including noise and the smell of cannabis in the hallways, parking issues and problems with accumulation of rubbish due to inadequate bin storage for the fourteen flats that were there currently.  He asserted that the agents, Lettings Plus did not have an effective plan to deal with the problems. 

Mr Kumar also explained that he was concerned that his elderly parents would lose their direct access to the roof terrace as this would be located three floors higher. 

Mr Kumar also pointed out that there was only one lift which would be insufficient for the increase in the building capacity.  He concluded that he was speaking on behalf of numerous residents. 

The Chair commented that anti-social behaviour and other similar issues raised by Mr Kumar were outside the scope of planning and asked the Development Management Manager to give advice on where Mr Kumar might obtain assistance to address these problems.  

            The Development Management Manager explained that whilst he felt sure members would have sympathy for the problems being experienced by Mr Kumar, these were matters over which planning had no control and should be directed to the management company or the freeholders. 

            The Chair then invited Mr Ian Coward of Collins and Coward to address the committee. 

            Mr Coward opened by pointing out that he had worked with Council officers on this scheme, which explained why it was before the committee with a recommendation to approve.  He highlighted the benefits of the scheme with nine new homes in a sustainable location, which also promoted the car free ethos, with additional cycle spaces and amenity space, both private and communal. 

            He submitted that the development would add to the vitality of the town centre and the absence of any extension on the southern end of the building, together with the rear windows being placed to the side to preserve the amenity for those existing residents in a sensitive scheme.  

            Mr Coward also assured the committee that the scheme would be carefully implemented and that the developer wanted to develop in a sensitive way and to a high standard. 

Mr Coward also assured the committee that there would be a single point of contact for anyone with concerns as the building works proceeded. 

            The Chair thanked Mr Coward and invited Councillor Aga Dychton to address the committee. 

            Councillor Dychton opened her address by pointing out that the character of Watford was something that we all treasured.  She asserted that the development was bland and because of its scale, inappropriate for the town, and would cause harm in the context of its location. 

Councillor Dychton expressed her surprise that the developer was looking  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4