Here is a summary of the items scheduled for discussion at the Development Management Committee meeting. The committee will be considering a number of planning applications, including a major redevelopment of the Kytes Drive estate, and the Wenta Business Centre. Also to be discussed are internal and external works to Kytes House and a co-living studio flats development on Bridle Path.

Major Applications

Kytes Drive Redevelopment

The committee will be considering two applications relating to land at Kytes Drive. The first, application 23/01097/FULM, concerns a full planning application for the:

demolition of existing bungalows and other dwellings, the erection of 63 no. dwellings of up to 2 storeys and the erection of an apartment building of up to 3 storeys comprising 71 dwellings, the creation of 2 dwellings within an existing building, car parking, landscaping, removal of a protected tree and ancillary development along with Listed Building Consent to retain Kytes House for 10 dwellings.

The applicant is named in the report pack as Anchor, and the agent as Pegasus Planning Group Ltd. The planning officer, Alice Findlay, recommends that planning permission be granted, subject to a Section 106 agreement¹ and a number of conditions. The report pack notes that Anchor has owned the Kytes Drive estate since 2001, and describes them as:

England's largest registered provider of affordable older persons accommodation. The estate was originally developed post-World War II to provide accommodation for disabled war veterans.

The report pack states that the proposed redevelopment would provide 146 dwellings, an increase of 96 dwellings across the site, of which 114 (78%) will be for social rent. It also notes that all protected trees and woodland areas will be retained, and that a biodiversity net gain of over 10% is expected.

The second application, 23/01098/LBC, concerns listed building consent for internal and external works to Kytes House to provide residential accommodation across 10 apartments, and internal and external works to the associated outbuilding to provide 2 dwellings. Again, Alice Findlay recommends that listed building consent be granted, subject to conditions.

The Wenta Business Centre Redevelopment

The committee will be considering application 25/00270/FULM for the redevelopment of The Wenta Business Centre, Colne Way. The proposal includes demolition and erection of new buildings, and refurbishment of Building B, to provide new flexible workspace, indoor sport and recreation facilities, offices, research and development space, industrial process areas, and storage and distribution facilities. The applicant is named in the report pack as The Wenta Business Centre, and the agent as HTA Design LLP. The planning officer, Andrew Clarke, recommends that planning permission be granted subject to a Section 106 agreement and a number of conditions.

The report pack states that the proposal would create additional high quality, flexible employment floorspace for small to medium sized businesses, with on site amenities. It also notes that the scale and design of the proposed buildings are appropriate to the industrial context, and that the proposed external materials with a copper finish would give the buildings a high quality appearance. The report pack states that the proposal seeks to encourage the use of sustainable modes of transport with a new demarcated pedestrian route along the access road, cycle parking and electric vehicle charging.

Land At 1 To 15 Bridle Path

The committee will be considering application 23/01118/FULM for the demolition of the existing buildings and erection of a building to provide co-living studio flats with communal internal amenity spaces and landscaped external spaces at land At 1 To 15 Bridle Path. The applicant is named in the report pack as Mr Paul Brundell, and the agent as Third Revolution Projects. The planning officer, Andrew Clarke, recommends that planning permission be granted subject to a Section 106 agreement and a number of conditions.

The report pack states that the proposal would deliver 311 studio units, the equivalent of 172 dwellings, helping Watford Borough Council to meet housing need, and make a financial contribution of £2,992,572 toward affordable housing in the borough of Watford. It also notes that the overall design of the building is considered appropriate, making efficient use of this site within the Watford Gateway Core Development Area².

Minor Application

Lower Paddock Road

The committee will be considering application 25/00481/FUL for the erection of one 2-bedroom residential unit following subdivision of the site with separate access from Avenue Terrace, off road parking, associated amenity and landscaping at 63 Lower Paddock Road. The applicant is named in the report pack as Mrs Josephine Morgan, and the agent as Mr Michael Lynskey. The planning officer, John Kaimakamis, recommends that planning permission be granted subject to a Section 106 agreement and a number of conditions.

The report pack states that the proposed development would provide a high quality and well designed new home with good amenity for future occupiers, and that within the Oxhey Conservation Area, the development would be read independently to the Victorian terraces of Lower Paddock Road which form the identified character of the area.