A planning application has been submitted for the demolition of a property in Digswell to make way for nine new apartments.

Agents, PHD Chartered Town Planners Ltd, submitted the proposals for 59 New Road on behalf of Acre Digswell 3 Ltd, with a consultation open until Friday, May 26. 

The plans would bring a detached two-storey building with accommodation at the lower ground level comprising of nine apartments, with associated bin and cycle storage and car parking provision. 

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This will take place following the demolition of the existing house.

Welwyn Hatfield Borough Councillor Terry Mitchinson called-in the application to the planning inspector and objected to its approval.

He said the plans "represent over-development of the site, is too dense, it is out of character with the area, insufficient parking, and increased traffic will have an adverse impact on New Road." 

He added: "New Road is an iconic landmark area of Digswell and the entire borough. Already its character has been irreversibly damaged by ongoing and previously allowed developments." 

Another application for a site two properties away, at 57 New Road, has also been called in and was heavily objected to during its consultation period, with no supporting statements made.

These plans would see the part demolition of the existing property, replacing it with five four-bedroom houses,  with associated internal access roads, parking and refuse/recycling collection. 

                                                                                                        

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Welwyn Parish Council were among the unanimous objections, submitting a "major objection" for "inappropriate development in the Green Belt". 

It also said this proposal was "completely at odds with the Digswell Character Appraisal. Dominant design and out of keeping with the street scene due to increase roof height". 

To view the plans for 59 New Road in full, visit the planning portal at welhat.gov.uk/planning-applications and search for reference 6/2023/0907/FULL or 

To view the plans for 57 New Road in full, search for 6/2023/0163/FULL.

The consultation is set to end on Friday, May 26.