®Planning appeal decision
64 Sussex Avenue, Ashford, TN24 8NB
Planning appeal 3351128 at 64 Sussex Avenue, Ashford, TN24 8NB (Ashford Borough Council) was dismissed on 28 March 2025 by Inspector Smith D, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether the proposed development would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Queens Road Conservation Area.
demolition of existing extensions to 64 Sussex Avenue, new extension, and conversion of 64 Sussex Avenue into two two-bedroom flats. Erection of a new two- storey detached building comprising two two-bedroom flats, with access from Sussex Avenue and fronting Blue Line Lane, including bin store, cycle storage, and landscaping
- Authority
- Ashford Borough Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- Smith D
- Postcode
- TN24 8NB
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- Whether the proposed development would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Queens Road Conservation Area
- The effect of the proposed development on the living conditions of the occupiers of 21 Sturges Road with particular regard to outlook and privacy
- Whether living conditions for future occupiers would be satisfactory in respect of outdoor amenity space
- Whether the absence of off-street parking would harm highway and pedestrian safety
- The effect of the proposed development on the integrity of the Stodmarsh Special Protection Area and Special Area of Conservation
What decided it
The adverse effect on the integrity of the Stodmarsh habitats site, which under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations precludes the proposal from proceeding, is decisive.
The benefits of housing delivery and use of a windfall site within the settlement were outweighed by the harm to the living conditions of neighbouring occupiers and the adverse effect on the integrity of the Stodmarsh habitats site.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy SP1Policy SP6Policy HOU3aPolicy ENV14Policy HOU15Policy TRA3(a)Policy ENV1
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 57Paragraph 195
How the Inspector dealt with each one is set out in the app, in order: the development plan, national policy, housing land supply, other considerations and the planning balance, beside the letter.
See how each was appliedThe decision letter
Town Planner Pro holds this letter. The Appeals plan opens it and every other letter we hold, all of them searchable, with the main issues and what decided each case picked out. We do not show letters on the free site because they carry people’s names and addresses.
With an account
What an account adds to this decision
More decisions in Ashford Borough Council
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2025
- Allowed22 June 20266003600Tatton Barn, Hamstreet Road, Hamstreet, Ashford, TN26 2EW
- Allowed22 April 20263376208Mainey Farm, Pluckley Road , Maltmans Hill, Smarden, Kent, TN27 8RD
- Allowed9 April 20263368725Land Adjacent to the Bull Inn, Bethersden, Ashford, TN26 3LB
- Dismissed7 April 20266003396Barn South of Chart Court Barn, Pluckley Road, Little Chart, Ashford, Kent, TN27 0QH
- Allowed30 March 20266002407Belvedere Stables, High Halden Road, Nr Ashford, Kent, TN30 6SY
The main issues, what decided it, the planning balance and the policies and judgments listed as cited are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro and are our summary, not the Inspector’s words; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.