Planning appeal decision
Raquel Court, 147 Snowsfields, London, SE1 3TE
Planning appeal 3261317 at Raquel Court, 147 Snowsfields, London, SE1 3TE (London Borough of Southwark) was dismissed on 29 September 2021 by Inspector MacLeod R, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: the impact of the proposal on the character and appearance of the surrounding area.
demolition of existing buildings and construction of a 10 storey building plus basement consisting of 17 residential units, commercial at ground floor and basement and associated cycle and waste storage and other associated works
- Authority
- London Borough of Southwark
- Appeal type
- major · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Major dwellings
- Inspector
- MacLeod R
- Postcode
- SE1 3TE
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- the impact of the proposal on the character and appearance of the surrounding area
- the impact on the adjacent conservation area with respect to its height and massing
- the adequacy of living conditions for future occupiers of the proposed dwellings with respect to the size of private external amenity space
What decided it
The height and massing of the proposed 10-storey building would result in an unduly conspicuous and incongruous feature that conflicts with the coherent scale and character of the surrounding area in its present context and fails to demonstrate satisfactory integration within the emerging context of neighbouring development.
The benefits of a net increase of 6 dwellings and improved dwelling quality were outweighed by the adverse impacts on character and appearance; the presumption in favour of sustainable development was not engaged due to the Council's housing delivery performance.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy D4 of the London Plan (2021)Policy D6 of the London Plan (2021)Policy HC1 of the London Plan (2021)Policy 12 of the Southwark Core Strategy (2011)Saved Policy 3.12 of the Southwark Plan (2007)Saved Policy 3.13 of the Southwark Plan (2007)Saved Policy 3.18 of the Southwark Plan (2007)Saved Policy 3.20 of the Southwark Plan (2007)Saved Policy 4.2 of the Southwark Plan (2007)
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 11Paragraph 126Paragraph 130
How the Inspector dealt with each one is set out in the app, in order: the development plan, national policy, housing land supply, other considerations and the planning balance, beside the letter.
See how each was appliedThe decision letter
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More decisions in London Borough of Southwark
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2021
- Allowed20 October 20266010489269-275 Rye Lane and 1A Philip Walk, London, SE15 4UA
- Allowed23 June 2026600731359 Lant Street and 6 Vine Yard, Southwark, SE1 1QN
- Notice varied and upheld5 February 20263364196211 Walworth Road, London, SE17 1RL
- Allowed11 November 20253363575257-283 Ilderton Road, Southwark, London, SE15 1NS
- Notice varied and upheld4 August 20253317034Unit 3, Penarth Centre , Penarth Street, London, SE15 1TR
The main issues, what decided it, the planning balance and the policies and judgments listed as cited are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro and are our summary, not the Inspector’s words; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.
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