®Planning appeal decision
Greensands, Oak Lane, Sevenoaks, TN13 1UH
the demolition of existing care home and construction of an 8 flat residential building
- Authority
- Sevenoaks District Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- De Freitas Terceiro P
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area
- the effect of the proposed development on the living conditions of the occupiers of adjoining properties, in particular 19 White Friars and White Friars Lodge, with reference to outlook and privacy
What decided it
The significant harm to the character and appearance of the area caused by the building's substantial bulk, mass and prominence, which significantly and demonstrably outweighed the moderate benefits of housing delivery in the context of the tilted balance.
The moderate benefits of housing delivery, brownfield reuse and ecological enhancements were significantly and demonstrably outweighed by the significant harm to character and appearance, such that the presumption in favour of sustainable development did not apply.
Framework references: 11
Plan policies cited: Policy EN1 of the Allocations and Development Management Plan 2015, Policy C4 of the Sevenoaks Town Neighbourhood Plan 2020-2038 (2023), Policy EN2 of the Allocations and Development Management Plan 2015
Judgments cited: Bounces Properties Limited v Secretary of State [2023] EWHC 735 (Admin)
The main issues and the deciding factor are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.