Former Poundland and One Below unit to be demolished

The site, at 69 and 69a St Peter's Street, is set to be replaced with a four-storey building with 14 new dwellings and a retail space.

Planning permission was granted on Friday, March 24, with a number of conditions.

The site will be constructed at 69 and 69a St Peter's Street. (Image: Google Maps)

Two one bedroom, 11 two bedroom and one three bedroom apartments will be created.

READ MORE

• Plan launched for 550 new homes near Harpenden
• 93 homes created by £64 million city centre project

One resident - Michael Shaw of Townsend Drive - objected to the plans, stating: "Since the original submission and my objection, there have been additional retail outlets becoming empty - indeed at least one in Chequer Street been empty for over 12 months.

Get more stories like this delivered to your inbox every week by signing up to our newsletter.

"In addition, there are now empty outlets in Catherine Street, raising the question of the need for extra units with no guarantee they will be occupied.

"Again there is no mention of social housing something that is needed in St Albans.

The four storey building will be constructed on the former site of Poundland and One Below. (Image: Briffa Phillips / St Albans City & District Council)

There is also the question of whether or not we need additional accommodation of this nature.

"There is already a massive build in Victoria Street with flats and retail outlets.

"This appears to be an ill-conceived plan that does not meet the needs of the city."

Another resident - Mary Hipp of Drovers Way - added: "I am not in favour of a four storey building between the back of Butlers Yard and St.Peter’s street because daylight will be obscured for the rear windows of the Butler’s Yard building.

"If permission is granted for one four storey building there, developers will raise this to demand permission to build a fourth storey on top of Butlers Yard apartments."