Land Rear of 31-53 Northbourne Road, Twydall, Gillingham, Medway, ME8 6QH

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area
• whether or not living conditions for future occupiers of the dwellings on plots 5 and 6 would be acceptable with particular regard to the provision of amenity space
• the effect of the proposal on the living conditions of the occupiers of neighbouring dwellings with particular regard to outlook, and in the case of 53 Northbourne Road with additional regard to privacy

What decided it

The significant and intrusive loss of privacy to 53 Northbourne Road, combined with unacceptable harm to character and appearance and inadequate amenity space for future occupiers, meant the adverse impacts significantly and demonstrably outweighed the housing benefits under paragraph 11(d) of the Framework.

The benefits of housing delivery and economic benefits were outweighed by significant harm to character and appearance, inadequate amenity space for future occupiers, and significant loss of privacy to neighbouring occupiers.