Planning appeal decision
7 and 7A Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead, Herts, HP1 1LA
Planning appeal 3363536 at 7 and 7A Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead, Herts, HP1 1LA (Dacorum Borough Council) was dismissed on 18 July 2025 by Inspector Gee R, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the appeal property and locality.
ground, first and second floor rear extensions and development to provide an office on the ground floor and two flats on the first and second floors
- Authority
- Dacorum Borough Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Other minor developments
- Inspector
- Gee R
- Postcode
- HP1 1LA
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the appeal property and locality
- whether the proposal would make appropriate provision for refuse
- the effects of the proposal on the integrity of the Chilterns Beechwoods Special Area for Conservation
What decided it
The harm to character and appearance from the disproportionate second floor extension and the lack of suitable refuse facilities would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits of housing delivery when assessed against the Framework as a whole.
The modest benefits of housing delivery, efficient use of previously developed land, office space provision and economic benefits were significantly and demonstrably outweighed by the harm to character and appearance and inadequate refuse provision.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy CS12 (g) (i)(iv) and (vi) of the Dacorum Borough Council Core Strategy 2006-2031Policy CS12 of the Dacorum Borough Council Core Strategy 2006-2031
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 11
- Judgments
- Holborn Studios Ltd v The Council of the London Borough of Hackney [2017] EWCH 2823 (Admin)
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 Dacorum
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2025
- Dismissed26 October 20266003892Bulbourne Wood, New Road, Northchurch, Berkhamsted, HP4 1LN
- Invalid20 October 20266011032Greymantle, Hempstead Road, Bovingdon, HP3 0HF
- Invalid16 October 20266011849Greymantle, Hempstead Road, Bovingdon, HP3 0HF
- Allowed15 October 20266012966126 Bennetts End Road, Hemel Hempstead, HP3 8DZ
- Allowed14 October 20266006896Apsley Depot, Ebberns Road, Apsley, HP3 9RE
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.
®