Planning appeal decision
23 Wood Vale, Forest Hill, London, SE23 3DS
Planning appeal 3308670 at 23 Wood Vale, Forest Hill, London, SE23 3DS (London Borough of Southwark) was dismissed on 5 February 2024 by Inspector Wraight G, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: The effect of the concrete hardstanding, the concrete boundary wall, the external concrete ramp and curved staircase upon on-site parking and manoeuvrability and upon surface water run off and drainage.
3.1. Without planning permission, the excavation and laying of concrete hardstanding on the front forecourt of the Land; and the construction of a concrete boundary wall and an external concrete ramp and spiral staircase to the lower ground floor level in the front forecourt, as shown in Photographs 1 and 2 attached (“Unauthorised Development 1”)
- Authority
- London Borough of Southwark
- Appeal type
- enforcement · Enforcement Notice
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- other · Householder developments
- Inspector
- Wraight G
- Postcode
- SE23 3DS
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- The effect of the concrete hardstanding, the concrete boundary wall, the external concrete ramp and curved staircase upon on-site parking and manoeuvrability and upon surface water run off and drainage
- The effect of the timber utility meter housing, the concrete ramp and the curved staircase on the ability to provide the approved bin and cycle storage
- The effect of the installation of the railings around the perimeter of the flat roof rear extension on the living conditions of the occupiers of adjacent properties, with particular reference to facilitating overlooking, loss of privacy and noise and disturbance
- The effect of the removal of the rear bay window at upper ground floor level and replacement with a contemporary bay window on the character and appearance of the host property
What decided it
The railings have facilitated overlooking and loss of privacy to adjacent properties which cannot be adequately mitigated, whereas the other unauthorised developments do not cause unacceptable planning harm and accord with development plan policies.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy D3Policy T6Policy T6.1Policy SI 12Policy SI 13Policy T5Policy D14Policy P50Policy P53Policy P56Policy P66Policy P68Policy P13Policy P14Policy P15
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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More decisions in London Borough of Southwark
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2024
- Allowed20 October 20266010489269-275 Rye Lane and 1A Philip Walk, London, SE15 4UA
- Allowed23 June 2026600731359 Lant Street and 6 Vine Yard, Southwark, SE1 1QN
- Dismissed17 June 2026600875415A Sydenham Hill, Southwark, London, SE26 6SH
- Notice upheld7 April 2026336141612 Denmark Hill, London, SE5 8RZ
- Dismissed7 April 20263344253Flat 1, 12 Denmark Hill, London, SE5 8RZ
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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