®Planning appeal decision
67 Links Road, ASHTEAD, Surrey, KT21 2HL
erection of 3 No. detached houses following demolition of the existing house
- Authority
- Mole Valley District Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- Buchanan R
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- the impact of the proposal on a European Protected Species, namely roosting bats
- its effect on the character and appearance of the area, including the site
- the effect of the access road and Plot 2 dwelling on the living conditions of the occupants of No.65 Links Road, having regard to external amenity space and outlook
- whether the Plot 2 dwelling would provide satisfactory living conditions for occupants, having regard to outlook, external amenity space and (also for occupants of the Plot 3 dwelling) bin storage and collection
What decided it
The absence of up-to-date bat surveys and the inability to condition a further survey before permission is granted means the appellant has not demonstrated that there would be no unacceptable adverse impact on roosting bats, a European Protected Species, contrary to LP Policy EN9.
The modest benefits of housing delivery (moderate weight) were significantly and demonstrably outweighed by the substantial weight of the unmitigated harm to a European Protected Species, such that the tilted balance presumption in favour of sustainable development did not apply.
Framework references: 11
Plan policies cited: LP Policy EN9, LP Policy EN4, ANP Policies AS-En3, ANP Policies AS-H5, LP Policy H1, LP Policy S1(2)
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.