®Planning appeal decision
Site of 22 and 24 Southend Road, Hockley, Essex, SS5 4QH
demolition of two existing properties and the erection of 7no. 2 bed flats with associated works
- Authority
- Rochford District Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- Osgathorp C
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- The effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the street scene and the surrounding area
- Whether the proposed development would make satisfactory provision for on-site parking
- Whether the proposed development would provide an acceptable living environment for future occupiers of the second floor flat, with particular regard to internal space standards
What decided it
The identified adverse effects of the proposal—significant harm to character and appearance, inadequate parking provision causing neighbour disturbance, and failure to provide acceptable living conditions—significantly and demonstrably outweighed the moderate benefits of housing delivery.
The moderate benefits of providing 5 additional dwellings and supporting local services were significantly outweighed by the significant harm to character and appearance and the significant harm to living conditions of future and neighbouring occupiers, even under the tilted balance triggered by lack of five-year housing land supply.
Framework references: 8, 11, 60, 69, 124, 130
Plan policies cited: Policy DM1, Policy DM3, Policy DM4, Policy DM30, Policy CP1, Policy H1
Judgments cited: Bernard Wheatcroft Ltd v SSE (1982)
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.