26 Lowfield Street, Dartford, Kent, DA1 1HD

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the proposal would be permitted development under Article 3 and Schedule 2 Part 3 of the GPDO, with particular regard to whether the limitations in Article 3(4) would be breached
• If the proposal is permitted development, whether prior approval should be granted, having particular regard to: the provision of adequate natural light in all habitable rooms of the dwellinghouses; impacts of noise from commercial premises on the intended occupiers of the development; transport impacts of the development, particularly to ensure safe site access; and where the building is located in a conservation area and the development involves a change of use of the whole or part of the ground floor, the impact of that change of use on the character or sustainability of the conservation area

What decided it

The proposal would not provide adequate natural light in all habitable rooms and would result in unacceptable noise and transport impacts that could not be adequately mitigated through planning conditions given the limitations of Class MA permitted development rights.