Building to the rear of, 11 Woodlands Road, Epsom, Surrey, KT18 7HP

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• the principle of development in relation to its existing use
• the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the surrounding area
• whether the proposal would be suitably located for tourist accommodation
• whether the proposal would provide adequate living conditions for future occupiers, with respect to the provision of internal and outdoor space
• the effect of the proposal on the surrounding road network
• whether the proposal would make acceptable provision for bin storage, bicycle parking and electric vehicle charging infrastructure

What decided it

The significant harm to the character and appearance of the surrounding area, caused by the independent dwellinghouse's awkward relationship with the highway and cramped appearance within its plot, outweighs the limited housing and economic benefits, even in the context of the Council's significant shortfall in housing land supply.

The limited social and economic benefits of one additional dwellinghouse and visitor accommodation were significantly and demonstrably outweighed by the significant harm to character and appearance, to which the Framework gives substantial weight, such that the presumption in favour of sustainable development did not apply.