13 December 2017

Planning Inspector rules in favour of Lightwood

The Planning Inspectorate has allowed the appeal by Lightwood against the decision of Elmbridge Borough Council Planning Committee to refuse an application for a two storey office building on an underutilised brownfield site in Thames Ditton.

Despite gaining the support of the planning officer and going to committee with a recommendation to approve, it was unanimously refused  on the basis that it would fail to enhance the street scene and would result in a form of development out of keeping with and detrimental to the character and appearance of the area.

The subservient and considered proposal was recognised by the Inspector as being “sympathetic to the local area… and would add positive visual interest”.