A religious foundation has submitted a planning appeal in a bid to keep a small building that was constructed without planning permission.

The majority of Watford Borough Council's planning committee feel a canopy built between Kingswood estate-based Imam Hussein Foundation's worship hall and house does "not fit in with its surroundings".

An attempt to secure retrospective planning permission at a meeting in December was unsuccessful after a vote; however the foundation appealed the council's decision a month later detailing reasons why permission should be granted.

It will now be up to a Government-appointed planning inspector to make a final decision, with an officer appointed on April 6 to look at the case.

In grounds for appeal on behalf of the applicant, chartered town planning consultant Sterling Planning argues the canopy does not cause "significant harm" to the surrounding area or "significantly impact" on the character and appearance of the site or nearby.

Sterling Planning added: "...the frontage does not have a prominent appearance within the street scene, being in line with the existing buildings, and is not in direct view from any residential property."

Watford Observer: The site pictured in 2020 before the canopy was constructed. Credit: Google Street ViewThe site pictured in 2020 before the canopy was constructed. Credit: Google Street View

When the application was submitted to the council, it drew seven objections from neighbours including - but not limited to - concerns about noise, impact on character and appearance of the area, overdevelopment, parking, and loss of light.

At the meeting on December 7, Liberal Democrat planning committee members acknowledged some of the concerns and voted the scheme down while the smaller Labour group of members voted against refusal.

With the appeal process now officially underway, written representations are now being accepted about this particular application. This is an opportunity for people to tell the inspector why the appeal should be allowed or dismissed.

Comments can be made up until May 11 via the planning inspectorate appeals website.

As well as providing a place of worship, the Imam Hussein Foundation centre provides a range of community support facilities including in education.

Its website suggests youth and women are at the forefront of those the charity aims to support with counselling services offered along with support dealing with issues of anti-social behaviour, drugs, extremism and gang culture.

The appeal can be found on the Inspectorate website via reference APP/Y1945/W/22/3290039.

The original application can be found on the council's planning portal via reference 21/01279/FUL.