34, Studley Road, Luton, LU3 1BB

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• the effect of the proposed alterations to the front elevation fenestration on the character and appearance of the host property and the street scene
• the effect on the living conditions of neighbouring occupiers, with regard to privacy and noise and disturbance
• whether the proposal would provide adequate living conditions for future occupiers, with regard to outlook and amenity space
• the effect on the housing mix within the borough

What decided it

The proposal would cause unacceptable harm to the character and appearance of the street scene and would fail to provide adequate amenity space for future occupiers, and these adverse effects substantially outweigh the benefits of housing supply and reuse of the building, particularly given the identified need is for larger family-sized properties rather than one-bedroom apartments.

applying Policy S4, the adverse effects of harm to local character and appearance and lack of appropriate amenity space substantially outweigh the benefits of contributing to housing supply (at reduced weight due to mismatch with identified need) and making better use of an underutilised building