171-173 Frenches Road, Redhill, RH1 2HZ

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• the effect of the proposal upon the character and appearance of the area
• the effect of the proposal upon the living conditions of the occupiers of Nos 167 and 167A with reference to outlook and privacy
• whether or not the proposal could provide satisfactory living conditions for its future occupiers with reference to outlook and outdoor space provision
• the effect of the proposal upon protected species
• whether or not the proposal could make adequate provision for surface water drainage and avoid increasing flood risk

What decided it

The significant and demonstrable harm to character and appearance, which the Framework states should be refused, combined with unresolved protected species concerns and harm to future occupiers' living conditions, outweighed the benefits of housing supply and specialist accommodation provision.

The benefits of housing supply, specialist accommodation for disabled residents, economic benefits, and biodiversity net gain (attracting very significant, significant, moderate and moderate weight respectively) were significantly and demonstrably outweighed by the high-order weight given to significant harm to character and appearance, unresolved protected species harm (very significant weight), and harm to living conditions of future and neighbouring occupiers (significant and moderate weights).