- Decision
- allowed, 22 September 2026
- Decided by
- Planning Inspector: Martin Andrews
- Authority
- Eastbourne (South East)
- Appeal reference
- 6006002
- Application reference
- 250410
- Procedure
- written representations
- Development
- Part-retrospective change of use of a lower-ground garden room/store and a rear L-shaped outbuilding to two dwellings
- Homes
- 2
- Site context
- inside settlement
- Green Belt
- No
- Framework applied
- August 2026 NPPF
- Determinative policies
- DP3, P3
- Development plan policies
- Eastbourne Core Strategy 2006-2027 B2, C11, D10a, Eastbourne Local Plan 2003 UHT1, UHT4, UHT15, HO20
- Main issues
- character; privacy; self-build status and BNG
Summary
Two extra dwellings at a flatted site in Eastbourne (one in a previously approved rear outbuilding) were allowed. Character and privacy objections were not sustained, and the requested self-build restriction was refused as unnecessary (DL 8, 13, 21).
What made the difference
The outbuilding was already approved and hidden by the fall of the land. Occupiers of a flatted site would expect mutual overlooking (DL 5, 10).
Policy findings
Policy codes are those of the National Planning Policy Framework (August 2026) unless a development plan is named.
| Policy | Finding | Weight | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| DP3 | accord | backland unit invisible from Carew Road; varied character; no conflict with Section 14 of the 'National Planning Policy Framework August 2026' (DL 5-8) | |
| P3 | accord | mutual overlooking typical of a flatted site; mitigated by levels (DL 10-13) |
Key facts
- Self-build occupancy condition refused as unnecessary; BNG exemption accepted (site 0.15 ha) (DL 14-16, 21)
- Two dwellings in a sustainable location described as 'an incremental but valuable contribution' to supply (DL 20)
Sources
This note is one of the decisions behind the NPPF 2026 Navigator, which shows how each Framework test has been applied across all the decisions in the database. Also available as Markdown.