®Planning appeal decision
4-12 Lowfield Street, DARTFORD, DA1 1HA
Demolish the existing building and retain the Lowfield Street facade and basement to allow for the provision of commercial space (predominantly A1 with some flexibility for A2/A3 (or A2/A3/B1/D1 to Market Street)) on the ground floor and five stories of residential accommodation (C3) above containing 26 flats in total (Mix of Studio, 1-Bed and 2-Bed Flats). Provision of bins and bicycle stores, communal entrance from Market Street and a central communal courtyard for shared amenity space
- Authority
- Dartford Borough Council
- Appeal type
- major · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Major dwellings
- Inspector
- Parsons J
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- whether the proposal would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Dartford Town Centre Conservation Area
- the setting of Grade II listed buildings at 11 and 15 High Street
- affordable housing
- the living conditions of future occupiers of a second floor flat, having regard to the provision of outdoor amenity space and outlook
- the living conditions of the occupiers of 11 to 17 High Street, having regard to outlook, sunlight, daylight and privacy
- vehicular parking and sustainable modes of transport
What decided it
The significant harm to the character and appearance of the Conservation Area and the setting of the listed buildings, combined with poor living conditions for one flat occupier, outweighed the economic, social and environmental benefits of the scheme.
The economic, social and environmental benefits of housing delivery and commercial floorspace were outweighed by significant harm to the character and appearance of the Conservation Area, harm to the setting of listed buildings, and poor living conditions for residents of a second floor flat.
Framework references: 105
Plan policies cited: Policy DP2, Policy DP4, Policy DP5, Policy DP9, Policy DP12, Policy DP13, Policy DP15, Policy CS2, Policy CS17, Policy CS19
The main issues and the deciding factor are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.