12:37pm Friday 12th June 2009
By John Harrison
A glass-fronted house is to be built close to Cassiobury Park, despite its modern appearance dividing opinion on a planning committee.
The new, five-bedroom, five-bathroom home will be built in Gade Avenue after councillors voted to grant planning permission last night.
The modern design was described by council panning officers as “exceptional”. However, it split opinion on the planning committee.
Councillor Sheila Smillie voted against the application, saying it would be a “first for Watford”, but would be out of place.
She told the meeting: “It is a big decision to make and one of the most difficult since I have been on this committee.
“I try to walk past there thinking what it will look like in ten, 20 or 30 years time and I do think people will say, 'nice design but what were they thinking'.
“I just don't think this is the right place for it.”
However, other members praised the design, which opponents say will not fit in with other houses in the street.
Councillor Ellie Burtenshaw said: “I actually like this design and I think we should be brave as a committee and commit to this.
“I think we should start putting some buildings like this into settings like this.”
The application, which prompted eight letters of objection, was passed with a majority of five to three in favour by Watford Borough Council's development control committee.
Councillors Rabi Martins and Steve Rackett were the other two committee members who voted against the proposal.
The house will be built at number 92 Gade Avenue and comes after previous attempts to build bungalows on the plot of land were rejected.
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