Clarence Road: those cement lorries

18 cement lorries were reported to us today. Clarence Road is not a suitable road for heavy vehicles and they were clearly operating in breach of planning permission.

There were so many that it was possible for both a resident and a highways official to follow them – and found that they were indeed going to the building site by the station. Thanks to both!

The district council has been informed and we anticipate that enforcement action will now be taken.

If you see a cement lorry on Clarence Road – or on any non-main road – get in touch!

Former St Albans City Campus: appeals by developer dismissed

Appeal Decisions
Inquiry opened on 12 July 2011 Site visits made on 11 and 15 July 2011
by David Prentis BA BPl MRTPI an Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Decision date: 5 September 2011
Appeal A: APP/B1930/E/11/2148525
Block D, Former St Albans City Campus, Hatfield Road, St Albans AL1 3RX
• The appeal is made under section 20 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 against a failure to give notice within the prescribed period of a decision on an application for listed building consent.
• The appeal is made by Nicholas King Homes against St Albans City & District Council.
• The application Ref 5/2010/2740 is dated 8 November 2010.
• The works proposed are described as: Change of use of Block D to include retention of block and all external elements (windows and structural columns) insertion of floor and subdivision of the block to provide 16 studio units and 4 one bedroom units.
Appeal B: APP/B1930/A/11/2148523
Block D, Former St Albans City Campus, Hatfield Road, St Albans AL1 3RX
• The appeal is made under section 78 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 against a failure to give notice within the prescribed period of a decision on an application for planning permission.
• The appeal is made by Nicholas King Homes against St Albans City & District Council.
• The application Ref 5/2010/2739, is dated 8 November 2010.
• The development proposed is described as: Change of use of Block D to includeretention of block and all external elements (windows and structural columns) insertion of floor and subdivision of the block to provide 16 studio units and 4 one bedroom units.
Decision – Appeal A
1. The appeal is dismissed and listed building consent is refused for change of use of Block D to include retention of block and all external elements (windows and structural columns) insertion of floor and subdivision of the block to provide 16 studio units and 4 one bedroom units.
Decision – Appeal B
2. The appeal is dismissed and planning permission is refused for change of use of Block D to include retention of block and all external elements (windows and structural columns) insertion of floor and subdivision of the block to provide 16 studio units and 4 one bedroom units.

Note: Cllrs Chris White and Joyce Lusby spoke against the appeal.

Loreto planning application granted by 9 votes to nil!

Attempts by conservation officials at the district council to stop Loreto College providing a pedestrian access for school children were overthrown last night.

Chris White, who brought the matter to committee when officials indicated that they would turn it down a second time, said: ‘It is baffling why the officers were opposed. No local residents objected. The wall that will have a new gate inserted in it is not particularly distinguished compared with other parts of the boundary wall. This looks like opposition for the sake of it.’

The new gate on Beaconsfield Road will allow pupils to enter the school separately from vehicles and thus enhance road safety. It is also hoped that it will make this entrance more attractive to pedestrians and parents – and so relieve congestion at school hours on Upper Lattimore Road.

Chris commented: ‘I would like to thank all the members of the committee of all parties for listening.’

Clarence Road lorries

Residents have complained to Chris about the reappearance of construction lorries on Clarence Road – in breach of local planning permissions.

Herts Highways and the district council have now spoken to each other and confirm that construction lorries are not permitted to use this road – which is essentially residential in character and physical strength.

The contractors believed to be in breach have been spoken to. Please let Chris know if there are any more incidents – providing registration numbers and other identifying signs (eg company logos), dates and times.

Labour motion to block new school defeated overwhelmingly

A Labour motion on the school site was overwhelmingly defeated at the district council on Wednesday night.

Chris White said: ‘Any attempt to move this school to the old fire station site would mean that it was not located near the demand for school places. This will mean that more people get into their cars. By contrast the nearest city centre school sees over 90% of its pupils arriving on foot and we can expect the same here.

‘The idea that there is a problem with schools being sited on main roads is frankly ridiculous to anyone who has ever been to London – where it is common because London like St Albans is a city.

‘Some of the alternatives favoured by local residents were also on main roads, including the Jubilee Centre site and Alma Road school site.’

The motion received only 6 votes in support.

Michael ‘calls in’ Londis application

Michael comments:

‘Londis on London Road appear to have submitted a planning application to hive off another piece of their shop in order create a takeaway next to the fish and chip shop they’ve already opened. How many takeaways do we need on London Road? I shall be calling this in.’

Local residents have long expressed concerns about the concentration of takeaways in this area