Monmouth Road flats scheme turned down because of bat concerns

Earlier this year, Santok Homes appealed Watford Borough Council's decision to refuse its plans to build in Monmouth Road.

The plan for the town centre cul-de-sac was to demolish five homes and a vicarage and replace it with a block of flats rising to seven storeys.

At a virtual meeting in May last year, the planning committee went against the council's officer recommendation and refused the scheme because of concerns about its size and "harm" caused to the character of the street.

A report published last week revealed developer Santok Homes had unsuccessfully appealed the decision - but the planning inspector's reason for refusal was different to the council's.

Inspector Martin Allen disagreed with the planning committee's view that the scheme harms the character of the area - but he did dismiss the appeal because of uncertainty over the welfare of bats that may or may not be living in the buildings earmarked to be knocked down.

Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, bats are a protected species and it is a criminal offence to intentionally capture, injure or kill a bat, or damage or destroy a bat roosting place.

In his report, published on November 3, the inspector said Santok Homes undertook an ecological survey of the buildings and although the survey did not find any evidence of bats inside, it did identify the buildings had features like gaps, cracks, crevices, and uneven tiles that would make it suitable for crevice dwelling bats to be staying in.

Mr Allen said two of the five buildings are considered to have "moderate potential" for bats to be present.

And because he had "insufficient information" to be able to be "satisfied" the development would not have a "harmful effect on protected species", he refused the scheme. He said this was a "decisive" reason that helped form his final decision.

Pictured on the left is buildings that would be demolished under the applicant's plans. Credit: Google Maps

The inspector's decision will have been welcomed - at least for now - by neighbours in Monmouth Road, who had been campaigning against the plans, alongside local councillors.

Among those fighting the plans were Chloe and Tom Harper, who told the Observer in January 2020 they had "regrets" about moving to Watford after learning of Santok Homes' proposal.

Central Watford ward councillor Rabi Martins said in 2020 the plans would see a residential area "crammed" with "inappropriate high density buildings".

Santok Homes argue it would be a "sustainable and high quality development", which would include three affordable homes and four parking spaces.