Biskra blocks of flats in Watford could get extra floor

The planning application, submitted to Watford Borough Council on August 25, would see two identical buildings, called Biskra, go from three to four floors and therefore gain six two-bedroom flats overall.

According to the planning application, the works would fall under permitted development rights. Pre-application advice apparently indicated that alterations to the car park would not be deemed permitted development, but the current proposal is “car-free”.

• Persistent fly-tipping making residents 'sick to the back teeth'
• Watford-formed punk band performed at first major festival
• Secondary school open days round-up amid application deadline

Biskra runs between Langley Road and Grandfield Avenue in Nascot Wood and the plan highlights that the blocks are comparable or smaller in height than neighbouring buildings.

CGI if a proposed design for Biskra (Image: Planning Insight/Watford Borough Council planning portal)

The application concludes: “The building has been carefully and sensitively designed to provide high quality development that responds positively to the local context and scale.

“The design respects the character of the area whilst maintaining existing boundary distances from neighbouring properties.”

Planning Insight/Watford Borough Council planning portal (Image: Planning Insight/Watford Borough Council planning portal)

Permitted development rights allow certain building works and changes of use to be carried out without having to make a planning application.

However, prior approval from the local planning authority is sometimes still required and that is what the documents submitted for Biskra seek, by trying to demonstrate it is fully compliant with the criteria for a permitted development.