®Planning appeal decision
1-1A Chipstead Lane, Riverhead, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 2AH
demolition of existing single-storey commercial premises and construction of a new two-storey building. Commercial ground floor and residential first floor
- Authority
- Sevenoaks District Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor offices/R&D/light industry
- Inspector
- Miles H
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- Whether the proposed development would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Riverhead Conservation Area
- The effect of the proposed development on highway safety
What decided it
The unacceptable harm to the character and appearance of the Riverhead Conservation Area caused by the incongruous roof form, combined with unacceptable harm to highway safety from inadequate parking provision, outweighed the limited public benefits and engaged the heritage asset exception to the tilted balance.
The limited public benefits of one new dwelling and replacement commercial space did not outweigh the considerable harm to the conservation area and unacceptable harm to highway safety; the heritage asset exception to paragraph 11(d) of the Framework applied, displacing the presumption in favour of sustainable development.
Framework references: 11, 202
Plan policies cited: Policy EN4, Policy T2
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.