35 London Road, BROMLEY, BR1 1DG

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether or not the development plan would support the proposed office accommodation in this location;
• the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area with regard to the heritage significance of the building and the setting of any non-designated heritage assets; and
• whether or not the proposal would provide suitable living conditions for future occupants with regard to daylight, layout and the provision of outdoor space.

What decided it

The cumulative and substantial weight attributed to the loss of office floorspace within the Business Improvement Area, the total loss of a non-designated heritage asset and harm to the setting of others, and poor daylight to one apartment, outweighed the moderate weight benefits of housing delivery under the tilted balance.

the moderate weight benefits of housing delivery and associated economic/social benefits, together with modest weight for the fallback permitted scheme and minimal weight for biodiversity measures, were outweighed by the substantial weight harms of office floorspace loss, total loss of a non-designated heritage asset and harm to the setting of others, and inadequate daylight, such that adverse impacts significantly and demonstrably outweighed the benefits