Councillors and residents in Garston are over the moon after receiving the news that a planning inspector has refused plans for 165 flats.
Watford Borough Council had already turned down an application lodged last December by Fairview New Homes which laid out plans to demolish the former Arriva bus garage in St Albans Road.
The applicant submitted a proposal to create a part-four, part-five storey building providing 165 residential units, with 150 car parking spaces, communal landscaped amenity areas, secure cycle parking and other associated development.
The proposal was unanimously refused by all councillors, who feared losing a locally listed building and did not like the design of the development.
This prompted Fairview to appeal to the government inspector, but the appeal was dismissed on October 15.
Inspector Richard Aston recognised in his report that the site could be redeveloped into housing but he mentioned the proposal is “far too big and visually inappropriate to fit comfortably into its surroundings”.
He also mentioned that the design would be ‘unappealing’ and ‘wholly uninspiring’.
Meriden ward councillor Amanda Grimston, wrote on Facebook:
“Watford Borough council has had the result of the planning appeal of Garston Bus Garage with Fairview homes and I have the absolute pleasure in announcing we and the residents have won. The appeal was upheld.”
Speaking to GarstonNews she said: “The biggest thing is that we are delighted that common sense has prevailed. The proposal wasn’t good quality nor good for the area.”
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