Shorefield Cottage 7A, Shorefield Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, SS07RH

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• the effects of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area
• the effects of the proposal on the living conditions of the occupants of nearby properties with particular regard to outlook, access to light and privacy
• the safety and convenience of pedestrians using the public highway
• whether the benefits of approving the development would be substantially outweighed by any adverse effects when assessed against the national decision-making policies in the Framework

What decided it

The significant harm to the character and appearance of the area caused by the building's dominant scale, massing and incongruous design, combined with the harm to neighbouring living conditions through overbearing presence, loss of daylight and privacy, could not be justified by the modest benefits of the scheme.

applying Policy S4 of the Framework, the benefits of the proposed development, including modest economic benefits, environmental enhancements and the opportunity for self-build housing, would be substantially outweighed by the adverse effects on character and appearance and neighbouring living conditions when assessed against the Framework's national decision-making policies