6 The Grove, Epsom, KT17 4DQ

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the Church Street Conservation Area
• whether it would provide suitable internal living conditions for the future occupants of flats 7, 8 and 9 with respect to natural light and outlook and, for all flats, suitable private external living conditions
• its effect on the living conditions of the occupants of No 7 The Grove, with regard to privacy, outlook, natural light and noise and disturbance

What decided it

The less than substantial harm to the significance of the designated heritage asset (the conservation area) and the failure to provide suitable living conditions for future occupants, combined with the engagement of heritage protection policies under Framework paragraph 11(d)(i), meant the presumption in favour of sustainable development did not apply and the modest housing benefits could not justify the harm.

The modest contribution to housing supply and associated social, economic and environmental benefits carried notable weight in favour, but this was substantially outweighed by the less than substantial harm to the conservation area and the significant harm to the amenity of future occupants, with great weight given to conservation of the heritage asset; the adverse impacts outweighed the benefits.