An appeal relating to the proposed development of a three-storey block of flats has been dismissed by an inspector, mainly due to a concern that the flats would not fit in with the surrounding area.
The appellant wanted to demolish a detached home in Harrow Weald, Harrow, and build a modern, three-storey block of flats containing six flats in its place, with provision for parking, bins and cycle storage. The existing hard surface outside was also to be replaced by a lawn.
Harrow Borough Council rejected the application on the basis that the proposed development was on garden land, in contradiction of its core strategy; the design is inappropriate and out of character for the area; the Flood Risk Assessment submitted was unsatisfactory; because of the poor amenity space and lack of privacy, it would provide a poor standard of living.
During the appeal, planning inspector J Ayres considered all four of the issues raised by the Council. The inspector noted that:
Despite these material benefits which conflict slightly with the Council's original rejection of the scheme, the inspector determined that the "design, scale and mass of the proposal would result in significant harm to the character and appearance of the area. The benefits of the scheme do not outweigh this harm".
The scheme would, therefore, be contrary to the development plan and the material considerations mentioned above do not outweigh this conflict. As a result, the inspector decided that the appeal should be dismissed.
