Key Facts
Architectural Drawings
Feneley Studio (Job 1701) for City Creative Ltd — Planning drawings for 105 Victoria Street, January 2023.
Ground Floor
Second Floor & Roof
Full Drawing Set (PDF)
Site Plans
Floor Plans
Elevations & Sections
Structural & Technical
Victoria Street Conservation Area
Victoria Street is one of the main roads into St Albans city centre, leading uphill from the Midland mainline rail station. The street has earlier origins than its name suggests — records of a route along this line date from the 13th century. The area is in mixed residential and commercial use, predominantly office and retail with some flats above.
The conservation area encompasses most of Victoria Street as far as Marlborough Road. Due to its straight east–west alignment, long views along the street are a key positive characteristic. The street retains strong Victorian and interwar character through its historic buildings.
105 Victoria Street — Listing Status
No. 105 is part of the locally listed group at nos. 95–109 Victoria Street, described in the conservation area appraisal as "a number of two and three storey brick buildings from the 1920s and '30s." While not statutorily listed, locally listed status means the council considers the building to make a positive contribution to the conservation area's character and appearance.
What locally listed means in practice
- External alterations visible from the street require planning permission
- The council will assess proposals against the building's contribution to the conservation area
- Permitted development rights for windows and external materials are removed in conservation areas
- Like-for-like repairs (same materials, same design) are generally acceptable
Window Sills — Timber to Aluminium
Why it's problematic
- The building is locally listed — external changes are scrutinised
- Within a conservation area, normal permitted development rights for windows are removed
- The appraisal specifically values timber sash windows and traditional materials
- Aluminium is not consistent with the 1920s–30s character of the building
- The document notes that where "appropriate materials" have been used, character has been retained
Options to consider
- Like-for-like timber replacement — lowest risk, may not need formal permission
- Slim-profile timber-effect aluminium — would require planning application, needs strong justification (e.g. energy efficiency, maintenance reduction)
- Modified timber with aluminium cladding on sills only — a middle ground, but still likely needs permission
Area Character — Key Points
Positive features noted by council
- Long views along Victoria Street
- Historic assets and locally listed buildings providing strong sense of history
- Corner landmark buildings (Victorian public houses)
- Restrained, traditional signage
- Victorian and interwar character retained through appropriate materials
Negative features noted
- Busy roads and traffic signage clutter
- Some modern buildings out of character (e.g. Telephone Exchange)
- Loss of traditional paving
- Some unsympathetic signage
Council's scope for change
- Some modern buildings would benefit from redevelopment or enhancement
- Improvements to planting and resurfacing welcomed
- Signage improvements encouraged
Parking Standards — St Albans District
105 Victoria Street falls within Zone 2 (St Albans city centre and adjoining areas), where a degree of parking restraint is applied. The standards below are from the council's Revised Parking Policies and Standards (January 2002).
How Zone 2 works
- Residential: schemes below the standard may be accepted, but the council will still seek sufficient spaces to meet likely parking demand
- Foodstores: 90–100% of maximum parking standard
- Other non-residential (retail/office): 50–75% of maximum parking standard
Standards relevant to 105 Victoria Street
| Use | Max car parking | Cycle parking |
|---|---|---|
| A1 — Shops (up to 500m²) | 1 space per 30m² gfa | 1 s/t per 150m² + 1 l/t per 10 staff |
| C3 — Residential (general) | Zone 2: below standard may be accepted | 1 l/t per unit (if no garage/shed) |
| C3(b) — HMO | 0.5 spaces per tenancy unit | — |
Key provisions
- Within 300m of public car parks in St Albans centre, developments under 500m² in A1/A2/A3/B1 classes do not require on-site parking, but a commuted payment may be sought
- Non-residential standards are maximums (not to be exceeded), not minimums
- Disabled parking is a minimum standard — must be met regardless of zone and is additional to maximum standards
- Commuted parking charge: £7,000 per space (2002 figure, rises with RPI)
Source Documents
The summaries above are extracted from the full council documents. Download the originals for the complete text: