8 Upper Brighton Road, Kingston Upon Thames, Surbiton, London , KT6 6JY

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the loss of residential units is outweighed by the benefits of the proposal
• the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area with particular regard to the Southborough Conservation Area and trees
• the effect of the proposal on the living conditions of neighbouring occupiers with respect to noise
• the effect of the proposal on highway safety
• the effect of the proposal on protected species
• whether the proposal makes adequate provision for fire safety

What decided it

The proposal conflicts with the development plan on multiple grounds—principally the unsubstantiated loss of existing residential accommodation contrary to Policy DM14, moderate harm to the conservation area and protected trees not outweighed by benefits, uncontrollable noise impacts on neighbours, and inadequate information on protected species—with no material considerations of sufficient weight to indicate the decision should be taken otherwise.