Developer appeals against refusal of 'garden grab' plan

Planning officials at the council submitted: "The proposed development by reason of its cramped layout, scale, bulk, massing and unsatisfactory design would be visually obtrusive, incongruous and be out of character with the established pattern of development in Paines Close and would fail to preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Pinner High Street Conservation Area or the setting of the nearby statutorily and locally listed buildings."

But Lazard are still determined to press ahead with their plans to demolish the existing detached house and replace it with two single/two-storey detached houses with habitable roof space and attached garages.

They argue that their second application addressed previous concerns by reducing the overall bulk, layout and massing of the proposed houses and by replacing the previous modern design and appearance with a design "more in keeping with the character and appearance of the surrounding locality".

However, planning officers still refused the application, citing as well a lack of information provided on the site's impact to the archaeological priority area within which it sits, and regarding biodiversity.

Lazard's appeal was submitted August 24 and the Planning Inspectorate have since informed the developer that an appeal will proceed by written representation.

Consultees will have until October 5 to submit their comments and a decision is likely in November.