Planning appeal decision
Top Cottage, Coombe Lane, West Monkton, TA2 8RB
Planning appeal 3277398 at Top Cottage, Coombe Lane, West Monkton, TA2 8RB (Somerset West and Taunton *) was dismissed on 4 October 2021 by Inspector Webb M, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the host dwelling and surrounding area.
an extension to the existing cottage
- Authority
- Somerset West and Taunton *
- Appeal type
- householder · Householder (HAS)
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Householder developments
- Inspector
- Webb M
- Postcode
- TA2 8RB
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the host dwelling and surrounding area
- the living conditions of the occupiers of Bottom Cottage, with particular regard to privacy
What decided it
The proposal would cause both harm to the character and appearance of the host dwelling through its lack of subservience and unsympathetic design, and significant harm to the privacy of the neighbouring occupiers through overlooking from the elevated position.
The desire for additional accommodation and living space, and challenges of COVID-19, did not outweigh the harm caused to the character and appearance of the host dwelling and the living conditions of the occupiers of the neighbouring property.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy DM1Policy CP8Policy D5Policy CSM4
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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With an account
What an account adds to this decision


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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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