Porters Lodge, Ferndale Gardens, Royal Tunbridge Wells, TN2 3PL

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area, including its effect on trees and the setting of the adjacent conservation area
• whether the proposal would provide future occupiers with appropriate living conditions, with particular regard to natural light, outlook, and external amenity space
• whether the proposal would provide adequate parking provision for future occupiers

What decided it

The substantial harm to the character and appearance of the area, including the likely future loss of protected trees and harm to the conservation area setting, combined with inadequate living conditions for future occupiers, outweighed the modest benefits of providing one additional dwelling.