Six homes approved on car park in Brick Kiln Close in Bushey

The proposal to build on the "redundant" space in Brick Kiln Close in Bushey was narrowly agreed at a Hertsmere Borough Council planning meeting last night.

The approval will see six two-bed terraced homes over three storeys constructed which planning agent Douglas Bond said will allow funds to be reinvested into the NHS.

The land was formerly used for parking for Bushey Medical Centre which has since relocated. The car park has been described as "unkept, overgrown, and unattractive".

Marked in red is the development site in Brick Kiln Close. Credit: Google Maps

However concerns were raised about the plans on the night by a neighbour to the site and also by a ward councillor.

Barry Lee, who lives in Brick Kiln Close, said he was speaking on behalf of residents in his street, Haydon Road, and Cross Road.

Mr Lee told the committee a petition with 55 signatures opposing the scheme had been collected last week. He described his neighbourhood, which borders Bushey and Oxhey, as "beautiful, historic, and quaint", and said it is "plain to see" the styling of the six homes would be a "complete change" and "overdevelopment" for the area.

A screenshot from the council's webcast of the proposed six homes in Brick Kiln Close. Credit: Hertsmere Borough Council Webcast

Bushey St James Conservative ward councillor Peter Rutledge spoke against the application as a community advocate.

He cited the existing Victorian-style buildings in the area and said these plans are a "scar to blight our already overcrowded landscape in Bushey".

He added: "It (the plans) are totally out of keeping with its surroundings...Brick Kiln Close is one of the last remaining old-style cul-de-sacs."

Cllr Rutledge said any development should "blend in" and not be a "blot".

Haydon Road near Brick Kiln Close. Credit: Google Maps

Mr Lee also said in the meeting an ecology report had been undertaken by the applicants shortly after trees and shrubbery were removed from the site, while he said the consultation from the applicants was a "tick-box exercise".

Agent Mr Bond disputed this saying there had been "extensive one-to-one" consultation with residents. Mr Bond said this is a "sensitive" development and the proposals "accord with the pattern and character of developments surrounding the site".

During the debate by members of the planning committee, Bushey Heath Conservative councillor Seamus Quilty said this was a "modern design" out of keeping with the area.

A vote took place with five members in support of the application, four against, and one abstention.

The closed Bushey Medical Centre building site has planning permission to be turned into a care home.