Tolworth Tower, Tolworth Broadway, London, KT6 7EL

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• The effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the site and the surrounding area
• The effect of the proposal on employment and retail floorspace provision and the vitality and viability of the District Centre
• Whether the proposal would provide acceptable measures in relation to energy (zero carbon), the circular economy and the urban greening factor
• Whether the proposal makes adequate provision for affordable housing, taking account of the relevant policies of the development plan and the viability of the development
• Whether the proposed development makes adequate provision for housing with 3 or more bedrooms, taking account of the relevant policies of the development plan, the location of the site and the housing needs of the Borough
• Whether the proposal would provide acceptable living conditions for future occupants with regard to the provision of outdoor private, communal and play spaces

What decided it

The substantial, unjustified loss of office floorspace causing material harm to the vitality and viability of Tolworth District Centre, combined with the failure to demonstrate that on-site carbon reductions had been maximised, were found to significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits of the scheme.

The accumulation of harm (substantial harm to District Centre vitality/viability from employment floorspace loss, failure to justify the energy approach, and design shortcomings) was found to significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits (housing delivery, affordable housing, refurbishment of Tolworth Tower and other public benefits), so the presumption in favour of sustainable development under paragraph 11(d)(ii) did not apply.