®Planning appeal decision
114 High Street, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 1UZ
the change of use to make former 1st floor offices into a domestic apartment. Retain Ground Floor as a shop unit
- Authority
- Sevenoaks District Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Change of use
- Inspector
- Pearce J
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- whether the proposal preserves or enhances the character or appearance of the Sevenoaks High Street Conservation Area
- whether suitable living conditions would be provided for future occupants of the development with regard to outlook and natural light
What decided it
The replacement window's less than substantial harm to the conservation area, combined with the poor outlook for future occupants, outweighed the limited public benefit of delivering one dwelling in a location with no five-year housing land supply.
The Council's inability to demonstrate a five-year housing land supply engaged the presumption in favour of sustainable development, but the harmful effect on the conservation area and poor living conditions meant the heritage protection policies provided a clear reason for refusal, and the development did not conform with the presumption in favour of sustainable development.
Framework references: 11, 202
Plan policies cited: Policy EN4, Policy EN1, Policy EN2, Policy SP1
The main issues and the deciding factor are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.