®Planning appeal decision
25 Market Street, Alton, GU34 1HA
change of use of ground floor A1 retail unit to a 1 x 1 bed flat (including modest internal changes)
- Authority
- East Hampshire District Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Change of use
- Inspector
- Webb B
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- the effect of the development on the vitality and viability of Alton
- the living conditions of future occupants in relation to outlook, light, privacy, ventilation, heat and noise, and of occupants of the flats above in relation to noise
- designated heritage assets, including whether the development would preserve a Grade II listed building, or any of the features of special architectural or historic interest that it possesses, and whether it would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of Alton Conservation Area
What decided it
The appellant failed to demonstrate that the loss of retail use was justified by lack of demand, and the proposed dwelling would provide unacceptable living conditions and cause less than substantial but unjustified harm to the listed building and Conservation Area.
The modest social and economic benefits of providing new housing do not outweigh the unacceptable harm to the vitality and viability of Alton, the unacceptable living conditions of the proposed occupants, and the less than substantial harm to the listed building and Conservation Area.
Framework references: 199, 202
Plan policies cited: Policy CP8, Policy CP29, Policy CP27, Policy CP30, Objective 5a, Policy S2, Policy DE2
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.