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Dismissed8 May 20266002632

Greensands, Oak Lane, Sevenoaks, TN13 1UH

Planning appeal 6002632 at Greensands, Oak Lane, Sevenoaks, TN13 1UH (Sevenoaks District Council) was dismissed on 8 May 2026 by Inspector De Freitas Terceiro P, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area.

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
Postcode
TN13 1UH

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.

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies
Policy EN1 of the Allocations and Development Management Plan 2015Policy C4 of the Sevenoaks Town Neighbourhood Plan 2020-2038 (2023)Policy EN2 of the Allocations and Development Management Plan 2015
National Planning Policy Framework
Paragraph 11
Judgments
Bounces Properties Limited v Secretary of State [2023] EWHC 735 (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 applied

The decision letter

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More decisions in Sevenoaks

The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2026

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  5. Allowed24 September 20266011192
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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.

In the app this decision sits on the map beside every appeal around it, with its letter to read and the main issues, policies and judgments cited picked out.