Potters Bar: 'Cramped' four-bed plans refused by council

The plans for Heath Drive in Potters Bar were refused today (Tuesday, March 12) with harm to the Darkes Lane conservation area cited as the reason.

A decision notice read: "The proposed new dwelling house would, by reason of its size, design and siting, result in a cramped form of development that would be detrimental to the street-scene.

"The proposed second bedroom on the first floor would be a habitable room whose sole window would receive little direct natural light and which would have little outlook as it would face the flank wall of the adjacent house (25 Heath Drive) at close quarters.

Proposed elevations for the refused development. (Image: Hertsmere Borough Council / Anatolitis Associates)

"It could not be obscurely glazed because a bedroom requires an outlook so as to be of an acceptable standard for this type of use, but with clear glazing it would threaten the privacy of the neighbouring house at 23 Heath Drive, which has first floor side windows nearby."

A previous application for a four bedroom detached house on this site was refused in 2009, for a lack of separation with nearby properties, a poorly proportioned appearance and a loss of privacy.

If it had been accepted, the new application would have seen these issues "minimised" according to a design and access statement.

The statement reads: "The revised proposals try to deal with each of the reasons (for refusal) to minimise the effect on the adjoining properties and the street scene.

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"The applicants believe that the scheme addresses all the concerns previously raised and fully     respects the character of the conservation area and the street scene.

"A new high quality 4-bedroom family dwelling would be added to the borough housing stock and contribute to the overall borough’s strategic housing targets."

The house would have been constructed between 23 and 25 Heath Drive. (Image: Google Maps)

The full plans can be viewed online by using reference 24/0025/FUL on the Hertsmere Borough Council planning portal.