Issue - meetings

Demolition of existing dwelling and construction of detached building containing 5 residential flats, with associated landscaping, provision of new vehicular access, car parking, cycle and refuse storage at 80 The Drive, Rickmansworth.

Recommendation: that planning permission is refused.

The application was for demolition of existing dwelling and construction of detached building containing 5 residential flats, with associated landscaping, provision of new vehicular access, car parking, cycle and refuse storage at 80 The Drive, Rickmansworth.

The Planning Officer provided an update that officers had been in discussion with the applicant’s agent through the application process in order to try to address concerns raised.  Amended plans had been submitted and accepted by the Local Planning Authority (LPA). However, whilst some issues had been resolved officers remained concerned about the impact of the development on protected trees and therefore the application was recommended for refusal.  An initial extension of time was agreed by the agent however this was not extended to accommodate the Planning Committee meeting.

Following publication of the agenda the LPA received notification that an appeal had been lodged by the applicant against its failure to give notice of its decision within the appropriate period.

The Planning Officer clarified that as an appeal against non-determination had been made the Council was no longer able to determine the application. However, in order for the LPA to provide its Statement of Case to the Planning Inspectorate in due course it was necessary for the Planning Committee to still consider the application and consider how it would have determined the application had an appeal against non-determination not been lodged.

Due to time constraints it was agreed to defer the item to a future meeting.