Issue - meetings

Demolition of existing front boundary wall and erection of replacement wall and railings including vehicle and pedestrian gates; fencing and associated alterations to parking layout at Christ Church C OF E School, Rickmansworth Road, Chorleywood, Rickmansworth.

Recommendation: that planning permission be granted.

Councillor Fraser left the meeting room.

The application was for demolition of existing front boundary wall and erection of a replacement wall and railings including vehicle and pedestrian gates; fencing and associated alterations to parking layout at Christ Church C OF E School, Rickmansworth Road, Chorleywood, Rickmansworth.

The Planning Officer reported that since the previous meeting at which the application had been deferred the applicant had supplied additional information as set out at section 7.1 of the report.  A letter from the Head Teacher and a copy of a report from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Designing Out Crime Officer had also been provided earlier in the day and circulated to Members.

Committee Members asked questions about the detail of the application which were responded to by officers.  The Committee’s discussions included the following:

·         The lower part of the wall was to be flint finished to match the existing walls, with brick piers and railings of black powder-coated metal.  The railings would be 1.1m high from the top of the brick wall; the maximum height from the ground to the railings was 2m.  Condition 4 required samples and details of proposed materials and finishes to be submitted and approved in writing prior to the commencement of works.

·         Several committee members expressed reservations about the design of the wall and its impact on the heritage asset.  However, the committee’s decision involved balancing this against other considerations such as the security and safeguarding concerns which had been raised.

·         Members expressed differing views over the need for and wording of condition 3 but following debate no amendment was proposed.

A speaker on behalf of the applicant spoke in favour of the application.

Councillor Lloyd moved, and Councillor Mitchell seconded, approval of the application subject to conditions.  On being put to the vote this was agreed, the voting being unanimous.

RESOLVED: that planning permission is granted subject to conditions.

Councillor Fraser re-joined the meeting.