Plans approved to raise roof of The Maltings shopping centre in St Albans

According to the plans, the two-storey shopping centre would be extended by 18.3 metres behind – roughly doubling the depth of the building – as well as upwards.

Developers say it would meet an “identified shortfall” of office space in the city centre.

Speaking in support of the plans at St Albans District Council’s planning referral committee, planning agent Duncan Mckay said it would allow businesses to remain in the city.

He pointed to a trend for office space in the city to have been turned into residential accommodation – estimating that 270,000sq ft had been lost since 2015.

That, he said, represented the loss of an estimated 2,000 jobs to the area.

“This will allow those businesses that are currently located in St Albans to stay in the town,” he said.

However, neighbours had complained that the development would have a direct impact on them – with disturbance, noise, over-looking and loss of light among the concerns.

At the meeting, resident Gary Chambers said: “I think its very easy talk about what the business community might need and the interests of the business community.

“The problem with  this proposal is that it does ignore the interests of the people who are already living within that complex.

“It is not just retail space. It is not just offices. We live there with our families – many of us have young children. We will be deeply and severely and permanently affected by this proposed development.

“There’s no doubt it will have an adverse impact on the people who live in Art School Yard and who live to the rear in Westbourne Mews.”

At the meeting of the committee last Monday, members voted in favour of the plans, subject to conditions.

During the debate Cllr Eileen Harris said the greatest thing would be if some companies would start running their businesses from St Albans instead of from the City – saving residents from having to commute into London every day.