Plans to construct 34 flats in a St Albans office building have been refused, but apartments may still be built.

The site, at Aecom House 63-77 Victoria Street, has been subject to three applications, with the construction of 20 flats obtaining prior approval in January 2024.

However, the applicant has failed to increase the number of apartments due to "not meeting" certain requirements.

A statement in the decision notice read: "The application fails to demonstrate how it demonstrates that the increased vulnerability from surface water flooding through changing use to residential can be alleviated."

The Highway Authority also recommended refusal due to "insufficient information" relating to the cycle parking provision and the electric vehicle charging provision.

Four public comments were made, three of which were objections citing "lack of sunlight" and "access" related issues as justification.

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DLA Town Planning Ltd submitted the application in October which was "amended" based on district council feedback.

In the planning statement, the agent outlined the changes to the prior application featuring an "increase from 20 to 34 flats" and "inclusion of ground floor proposals" among other alterations.

According to the statement, since the previous decision the legislation had been amended to not contain "any restriction of the amount of floorspace that can be converted".

The new proposal utilised all three storeys of the former office building with some apartments featuring two bedrooms, an en-suite, another bathroom, storage space, hall and living/kitchen space. 

Other apartments include one bedroom and fewer amenities with a shower room.

To find out more about the application visit the St Albans City and District Planning Portal and enter the reference number 5/2024/1721.