Wingdale Fielden Road, Crowborough, TN6 1TP

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• The effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area, including protected and unprotected trees
• Whether the proposal would provide satisfactory living conditions for future occupants, with specific regard to outlook, privacy and the amount and utility of the proposed garden space
• The effect of the proposal on European protected species

What decided it

The adverse impacts of the proposal—harm to character and appearance, likely harm to protected and unprotected trees, and unresolved effects on European protected species—significantly and demonstrably outweighed the modest housing benefit, even under the tilted balance.

The modest contribution of a single dwelling to housing supply was significantly and demonstrably outweighed by the identified harm to character and appearance, protected and unprotected trees, and European protected species, such that the presumption in favour of sustainable development did not apply.