Planning appeal decision
Land North of Pilgrims Oasts, Station Road, Otford, Kent, TN14 5QX
Planning appeal 3304566 at Land North of Pilgrims Oasts, Station Road, Otford, Kent, TN14 5QX (Sevenoaks District Council) was dismissed on 20 June 2023 by Inspector Sylvester G, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: The effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area, with particular regard to the appeal site being part of a designated open space.
the erection of a pair of 3 bedroom semi-detached dwellings, parking and associated works
- Authority
- Sevenoaks District Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- Sylvester G
- Postcode
- TN14 5QX
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- The effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area, with particular regard to the appeal site being part of a designated open space
What decided it
The proposed building would harmfully erode the appeal site's positive contribution to the verdant character and appearance of the area through its visual intrusiveness and loss of openness, and this harm would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the limited housing and economic benefits.
The adverse impact on character and appearance would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits when assessed against the policies in the Framework as a whole, and the proposal does not benefit from the Framework's presumption in favour of sustainable development
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy GI2Policy SP10Policy EN1Policy LO7Policy SP1
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 219Paragraph 130Paragraph 11
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 authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2023
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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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