131 Merlin Grove, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 3HS

Planning appeal 6005091 at 131 Merlin Grove, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 3HS (London Borough of Bromley) was dismissed on 13 May 2026 by Inspector Gardner L, 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 its effect on a protected Oak tree.

splitting of site and development to create 2 or 3 bedroomed dwelling house

Authority: London Borough of Bromley
Appeal type: householder · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: residential · Householder developments
Inspector: Gardner L
Postcode: BR3 3HS

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

The effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area, including its effect on a protected Oak tree

What decided it

The significant and demonstrable harm to the character and appearance of the area and to the protected Oak tree outweighs the moderate benefits of delivering a single dwelling in a location with a shortfall in housing land supply.

The moderate benefits of housing delivery and efficient use of a windfall site were significantly and demonstrably outweighed by the significant harm to character and appearance and the likely future loss of amenity value of the protected Oak tree.

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies: Policy 3Policy 4Policy 37Policy 73Policy 74Policy D4Policy D6
National Planning Policy Framework: Paragraph 11Paragraph 135Paragraph 136

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 2026

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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.