Issue - meetings

Demolition of existing bungalow and erection of a replacement two storey self-build dwelling at Denewood, Chorleywood Road, Rickmansworth.

Recommendation: that planning permission be granted.

The application was for demolition of existing bungalow and erection of a replacement two storey self-build dwelling at Denewood, Chorleywood Road, Rickmansworth.

The application had been deferred at the meeting held on 17 July 2025 in order for a site visit to be undertaken and to allow the applicant to supply a draft Construction Management Plan.  The Planning Officer reported that the site visit had now taken place, and the applicant had submitted a Construction Management Plan (CMP).  This had initially included a temporary works access directly off the Chorleywood Road; however as this had not been supported by the highways authority an updated CMP was submitted which included construction access via the existing established vehicular access.  Hertfordshire Highways had raised no objection to the amended CMP.

The Planning Officer also reported that two further objections had been received since the publication of the agenda.  However, the points raised were considered to have been addressed in the officer’s report.

Parish Councillor Jon Bishop of Chorleywood Parish Council spoke on the application.

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

·         The CMP would require a dilapidation survey and defect monitoring by the contractor, in order to mitigate the construction impacts on the neighbouring property.  It also required the access to be reinstated to the same, or better, condition following completion of the works and restricted the size of delivery vehicles accessing the site.

·         Some Committee Members remained concerned about the impact on the neighbouring property during the construction phase, whilst noting that this did not constitute grounds for refusal.

·         A Committee Member expressed concern that, as there was no on-site parking, there was potential for contractors to park on the road, thereby impacting on other highway users.  Officers responded that this had been recognised within the CMP, and operatives would be encouraged to use nearby public car parks. There were also accessible rail and bus networks nearby. If parking on the surrounding road network operatives would be required to park legally, although it was acknowledged that this could be difficult to enforce.  Trained banksmen would also be used to manage entry and exit of construction vehicles.  A Committee Member recommended that given the number of other traffic management measures in place or planned on Chorleywood Road as a result of construction or infrastructure works, and as the road was one of the main routes into the town, an additional informative should be added in relation to contractor parking on the road. 

·         A Committee Member expressed the view that the demolition of an existing adequate dwelling in order to construct a new design was regrettable from the sustainability perspective, although it was noted that this was not precluded by the Council’s planning policies.

Councillor Gazzard moved, and Councillor Nelmes seconded, that planning permission be granted subject to conditions and an additional informative regarding contractor parking on the road.  On being put to the vote this was carried,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40