St Peters Liberal Democrat councillor Michael Green has condemned the increasing number of planning applications to convert prime office space to residential accommodation. The conversion of Ridgmont Plaza in Ridgmont Road has already been approved while a decision is pending for conversion of the West Wing of the Ziggurat in Grosvenor Road. Both buildings are in St Peters ward.
“Inadequate office accommodation will clearly hit local employment opportunities,” said Michael, “and will risk St Albans turning into a dormitory town. High density housing also impacts nearby residents by increasing pressure on parking and worsening traffic congestion on roads that are unable to handle current traffic volumes at peak hours.”
I totally agree that too many office buildings in St Albans are being converted to domestic use. The planning application for the West wing of the Ziggurat building – especially to remove the glass cladding and use brick – will have the effect of making the proposed flats like a flat ugly slab. Now the same developer is proposing to build six and eight storey flats on the Grosvenor Road carpark. This is not Manhattan. Telford Court’s height was a mistake for St Albans. Let us not repeat it. And where are the suggested residents going to park their cars?