A construction company is seeking permission to convert a storage unit in Brookmans Park into a studio flat. 

Omnicrest Construction Ltd hopes to develop the site of the unit in Marlborough Court - off Green Close - into accommodation. Plans also include the installation of three windows.

The 81 sq. metre site currently comprises of a storage space over a block of residential garages, and a parking space.

Read more:

The east coast mainline railway is neighbours the site to the west, while Brookmans Park Station is situated approximately 200m to the south.

The storage area is part of schemes that were approved in 2013 and 2014, which brought 12 new residential units. 

In 2022, Granville Forbes Architects Ltd submitted the plans for the same site to change the use for the storage space over a block of garages into a one-bedroom flat with no external alterations.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: The East coast mainline railway is neighbouring to the application site to the west and Brookmans Park Station is situated approximately 200m to the south.The East coast mainline railway is neighbouring to the application site to the west and Brookmans Park Station is situated approximately 200m to the south. (Image: Alan Cox Associates)

These plans were refused due to the lack of openable windows, the absence of noise mitigation measures, inadequate bin storage and car parking provisions.

The current application - which is being handled by agents, Alan Cox Associates - seeks to address the three reasons for refusal as follows:

  • The dormer windows have been designed to sit centrally above three garage doors and reflect the character of the existing dormers. 
  • An acoustic report has been submitted to determine the impact of existing rail noise upon the first-floor unit.
  • The refused application did not include a red line around the parking and refuse bin areas. The current application indicates the correct ownership line as shown by the land registry plan.

Get more stories like this delivered to your inbox every week by signing up to the Welwyn Hatfield Times In Brief newsletter.

The Highways Authority made the following comment on the refused application: "The addition of one extra dwelling is unlikely to significantly increase the number of vehicle trips to and from Green Close, which already provides access to 41 dwellings, and is therefore unlikely to adversely affect the highway network."

To view the plans in full, visit the planning portal at welhat.gov.uk/planning-applications and search for reference 6/2023/1010/FULL.

The consultation is set to end on Tuesday, June 13.