Client: Glenalmond Developments Ltd and Owl Homes

Local Authority Area: Watford Borough Council

Project Type: Mixed-use Residential (Build-to-Rent) and Offices

Work Instructed: Full planning application, Public Inquiry Appeal including planning Expert Witness, Discharge of Conditions, s73 Variation of Conditions, Community Infrastructure Levy Advice.

• The site is located in the busy commercial area of Clarendon Road, Watford and comprised vacant, brownfield land, previously used as office accommodation.
• Following a previous undeliverable permission on the site, Cerda assisted to full permission for a mixed-use scheme including the provision of 247 Build to Rent residential units (Class C3) and 4,798 sq m Class E floorspace in buildings ranging from 5 to 24 storeys.
• The full planning application was initially refused permission but successfully secured following a Public Inquiry appeal with Cerda acting as Expert Planning Witness.
• Contentious matters resolved through the appeal included: reduction in office space, design quality, townscape and heritage effects, single and dual aspect, daylight and sunlight, nationally described space standards, private amenity space, application of the presumption in favour of sustainable development and the planning balance.