31 Stevens Lane, Claygate, Esher, KT10 0TD

Planning appeal 6006033 at 31 Stevens Lane, Claygate, Esher, KT10 0TD (Elmbridge Borough Council) was allowed on 10 August 2026 by Inspector Thomas Courtney, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: The effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area, with particular regard to trees.

a detached two-storey house with rooms in the roofspace and a pair of semi-detached two-storey houses with rooms in the roofspace, new vehicular access to No 31 from Raymond Way, conversion of garage to habitable accommodation with elevational changes

Authority: Elmbridge Borough Council
Appeal type: minor · Planning
Procedure: Written
Development: residential
Inspector: Thomas Courtney
Postcode: KT10 0TD

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

The effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area, with particular regard to trees

What decided it

The benefits of the scheme, most notably its contribution to housing supply and the effective use of land in a sustainable location, are considerable and attract significant weight, and when assessed against the policies in the Framework taken as a whole, the adverse impacts do not significantly and demonstrably outweigh those benefits.

The moderate harm arising from conflict with the development plan (loss of the oak tree and impact on character and appearance) was outweighed by the significant benefits of the scheme, particularly the contribution to housing supply and effective use of land, assessed against the Framework policies as a whole under the tilted balance.

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies: Policy CS17 of the Elmbridge Core StrategyPolicy DM2 of the Elmbridge Local PlanPolicy DM6 of the Elmbridge Local Plan
National Planning Policy Framework: Paragraph 11Paragraph 124Paragraph 136Paragraph 73

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.