Our client had applied for planning permission to add another floor to his bungalow, substantially increasing the living accommodation.
Sevenoaks District Council had refused the application, citing concerns about the development’s impact on the character and appearance of the area and the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
The case raised the following critical issues:
- Impact on Character and Appearance:
Whether the proposed development would harmonise with the varied styles and heights of properties in the neighbourhood and whether it would appear overly dominant. - Effect on the AONB:
Whether the development would preserve or harm the character and scenic beauty of the Kent Downs AONB. - Residential Amenity Concerns:
Whether the proposed development would negatively affect neighbouring properties through overlooking, overshadowing, or loss of light.
The inspector granted planning permission, deciding that there was a mixture of roof heights and house designs in this area and that the design of the extension was of a high quality.
She did not see any harm to the AONB, since this is already a built-up, residential area.
Finally, the inspector was satisfied that there would be no harm to neighbours’ living conditions.
The decision highlights the importance of context-sensitive design, adherence to policy requirements, and proportionate mitigation of potential impacts.
By addressing specific concerns through conditions, the Inspector ensured that the development could proceed without undue harm to neighbouring properties or the character of the AONB.
If you have been refused planning permission for a development, in Sevenoaks or elsewhere, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our lovely team for some advice 🙂
