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Dismissed19 September 20253366456

23 Market Square, Westerham, Kent, TN16 1AN

Planning appeal 3366456 at 23 Market Square, Westerham, Kent, TN16 1AN (Sevenoaks District Council) was dismissed on 19 September 2025 by Inspector Housden C, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area, including whether the proposed development would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Westerham Conservation Area (CA) and conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the Kent Downs National Landscape (KDNL).

change of use from E(b) to C3(a) for an existing restaurant store. Conversion of the existing store to a dwelling with a proposed first floor extension

Authority
Sevenoaks District Council
Appeal type
minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure
Written Representations
Development
residential · Minor Dwellings
Inspector
Housden C
Postcode
TN16 1AN

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

  • the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area, including whether the proposed development would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Westerham Conservation Area (CA) and conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the Kent Downs National Landscape (KDNL)

What decided it

The considerable harm to the character and appearance of the Conservation Area and the natural beauty of the Kent Downs National Landscape, which outweighs the limited public benefits of housing delivery and brownfield reuse.

The considerable harm to the Conservation Area and National Landscape character, given significant weight due to consistency with Framework paragraphs 135, 139, 189 and 212, outweighed the limited public benefits of one dwelling, small economic benefits during construction, and minor environmental benefits; the Framework policies protecting designated heritage assets and National Landscapes provided a strong reason for refusal that displaced the presumption in favour of sustainable development.

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies
Policy SP1 of the Sevenoaks District Council Local Development Framework Core Strategy (2011)Policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks District Council Allocations and Development Management Plan (2015)Policy EN4 of the Sevenoaks District Council Allocations and Development Management Plan (2015)Policy EN5 of the Sevenoaks District Council Allocations and Development Management Plan (2015)
National Planning Policy Framework
Paragraph 11Paragraph 125Paragraph 135Paragraph 139Paragraph 189Paragraph 212Paragraph 215Paragraph 232

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.

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The decision letter

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The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2025

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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.

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