Loudwater is a very attractive area dominated by indigenous, mature trees and extensive planting along narrow rural lanes. The original buildings were built in a particularly rustic and idyllic style and set out in generous plots of land with appropriate boundary definitions. The scale and informal relationship of the buildings to the plots reinforced this character.
It is this character that led us all to make Loudwater our home and there is always a concern that new developments may not reflect the character and beauty of the area.
The LRA works hard to prevent this from happening. Much of this work is done by the Planning Secretary who monitors proposed property developments, as well as extensions to existing properties, within Loudwater.
The whole of Loudwater has Conservation Area status. Initially Three Rivers District Council created Loudwater Conservation Area which covered the Loudwater (Troutstream) Estate. Later, a second conservation area was established – the Outer Loudwater Conservation Area – which included the remainder of Loudwater.
Some properties in Loudwater have an Article 4 direction issued on them. This limits owners’ permitted development rights and planning permission will be needed for developments such as the extension of hardstanding and the alteration/construction of boundary walls, gates and fences. This restriction serves to maintain the character of the area.
Policy C1 of The Three Rivers Council’s Local Plan 1996-2011 required development within a conservation area to preserve or enhance the conservation area “in terms of siting, proportion, bulk, … scale, … height…” and to respect existing landscape features and the relationship of buildings to plot boundaries.
The Planning Secretary will object in writing to the Council’s Planning Department if it is considered any proposed development:
- would not preserve the character and appearance of Loudwater,
- would not maintain the overall sense of spaciousness; a prevailing feature of Loudwater,
- impinges on the outlook and privacy of neighbours
This may sometimes require the Planning Secretary’s attendance at meetings of the Council’s Planning Committee and dealing with Planning Appeals.
If you have any questions or concerns about planning and development, we encourage you to get in touch with the Planning officer at planning@lraonline.org.uk.
Information concerning the planning application process and detailed reviews of submitted plans can be found on the Three Rivers District Council web site. See http://www.threerivers.gov.uk/egcl-page/online-planning-services for more details. For those interested in plans in the Loudwater area, there are multiple search options at http://www3.threerivers.gov.uk/online-applications/. Loudwater is under Chorleywood Parish Council and the Chorleywood North and Sarratt ward.