1 Mead Road, Dartford, Kent, DA1 2RH

Change of use of lower ground floor from retail to residential flat (retrospective application)

Authority: Dartford Borough Council
Appeal type: minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: residential · Change of use
Inspector: Simpson L

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

Whether the development provides a satisfactory standard of accommodation, with particular regard to natural light, outlook, pedestrian access, noise and disturbance
Whether the development is acceptable with regard to the Council's approach to new housing development on windfall sites

What decided it

The very poor access to daylight and sunlight throughout most of the flat, particularly the rear living and kitchen areas with no windows, provides an unacceptable standard of accommodation that cannot be justified by the limited benefits of adding one dwelling to the housing stock.

Framework references: 130

Plan policies cited: DP7, DP8, CS17, DP5, CS10

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