# 36 Albany Crescent, Claygate

- **Decision:** dismissed, 17 September 2026
- **Decided by:** Planning Inspector: Megan Thomas KC
- **Authority:** Elmbridge (South East)
- **Appeal reference:** 6008555
- **Application reference:** 2025/3209
- **Procedure:** written-representations
- **Development:** First-floor side extension on columns (void below) with roof-space accommodation to an upper-floor maisonette
- **Site context:** inside-settlement
- **Green Belt:** no
- **Framework applied:** August 2026 NPPF
- **Determinative policies:** S4(1), L2(1)(d)
- **Development plan policies:** Elmbridge Core Strategy 2011 CS17, Elmbridge DMP 2015 DM2, Elmbridge Design Code SPD
- **Main issues:** character and appearance, outlook of neighbours
- **Tags:** tier-2, householder, design-refusal, living-conditions-outlook, l2-1-d, s4-substantially-outweighed, parties-consulted-on-2026-framework

## Summary
A first and roof-level side extension on columns to a first-floor maisonette in a semi-detached pair. Dismissed. It would unbalance the pair and look "awkward and contrived", and it would overbear neighbours' side entrances. The L2(1)(d) substantial weight was not available because the scheme was inconsistent with the street scene, and under S4(1) the benefits were substantially outweighed.

## What made the difference
The symmetry of the semi-detached pairs along the Crescent, and the neighbours' front doors facing the flank. A void at ground level did not remove the sense of enclosure from the storeys above.

## Policy findings
- **L2(1)(d): fail.** substantial-weight limb for extra floorspace not met as inconsistent with the street scene (DL 15)
- **S4(1): fail.** unbalances semi-pair, less than 1 m to boundary; overbearing to neighbours' side doors and landing window 2.4 m away (DL 7-16)

## Key facts
- Extension on three columns at the common boundary; neighbours' front doors on side flanks (DL 6, 11)
- Parties asked to comment on 17 Aug 2026 Framework (DL 2)

## Sources
- https://appeal-planning-decision.service.gov.uk/comment-planning-appeal/appeals/6008555
- https://appeal-planning-decision.service.gov.uk/published-document/cde91b06-a948-4e9d-b1ff-27511e0aab29

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