SADC Planning and Building Control have just (21 March) refused plans for a large rear extension to the public house at 43-45 Verulam Road, to which many of our members had objected.

BUT the owner has continued building during the lengthy review procedure (see Herts Advertiser, 20 March and our reply jointly with our neighbouring Residents Associations, published on 10 April), and the extension is now virtually complete (and even larger than shown in the refused plans!). The refusal is largely based on over-development of the original building – objection to noise and visual intrusion to neighbours was essentially dismissed.

We shall continue to press SADC to ensure that this intrusive extension doesn’t creep in by the back door.