Council working on next steps for parts of Oxhey Village mural

Ron Dillingham, who owns a property in Capel Road in Oxhey Village, had a mural of a horse and a cart professionally painted when he refurbished the house last year.

The mural honours the history of the Brown family, the iconic local greengrocers who previously lived in the house, and reflects back to the stables kept at the back of the property.

Along with the painted mural, new railings and an outside light was placed without planning permission, and last week (April 9) the retrospective planning application for specifically the railings and light was refused.

Outside the former Brown house

Since the mural was in place, there was an overwhelming support of the new additions, and Mr Dillingham stated, “a lot more people now know it belonged to the Brown greengrocers”.

Tom Dobrashian, the group head of Place Shaping, has now explained why the rail and light was refused.

He said: “20 Capel Road falls within an attractive conservation area, rich with heritage. It is only by ensuring that the planning rules for conservation areas are upheld that we can protect them for future generations.”

The painted mural, which was originally part of the planning application set forward, was concluded to have “no objection”.

Mr Dobrashian said: “The mural on the side of the house was not part of this application and as it is not predominant in the street scene and has limited visibility it is not something we need to take any formal action on.”

The adored mural

However the conservation and design manager concluded that “cumulatively” the railings and lamp alter the character of the conservation area and “cause harm”.

The conclusion read: “It is possible to add both elements in a way which does not cause harm and the applicant should have sought advice prior to installing these features.”

Mr Dobrashian has now added: “We are now looking to engage positively with the applicant to resolve the situation and decide next steps.”

The Browns are local icons after being greengrocers in Watford for over 100 years. Before launching a stall in the old Watford Market, the Brown family travelled around with a horse and trap selling fruit and vegetables.

Before creating the mural, Mr Dillingham contacted a relative from the family and had their support for the mural.

Previously speaking to the Observer, Mr Dillingham: “Because the family told me it had the railings, I thought I’d put the railings back and I’ll put a nice lamp in the front – because I have the original lamp but it’s all rusted through and no good at all – and then I thought it’d look nice to make it look like a horse was coming out through the driveway.

“It’s all snowballed. Kids come by and they want to come up the driveway to look at it, it’s really becoming a local thing.”

He explained that he believed it would be a good way to honour the history of the Brown family, and add historic value to the area.

In a poll of 140 people, 79 per cent of readers said they do not think the mural should be removed, and 15 per cent said it should not be removed but a planning application should be sought next time.

Separately on Facebook, many Watford Observer readers shared their support and love for the mural.