Well an update...the appeal was dismissed.
The overbearing being the issue. The inspector said although a precedent had been set by the demolition and replacement of the other dwelling as the effect was on the new dwelling in that case and not an existing one he didn't see it as a precedent big enough to undermine the councils recently adopted policy - this frustrates me a little as the policy seeks to protect both new and existing properties in equal measure!
So that is it, we still have a lovely home, which we really do love, we could have done with one more bedroom but hey we will last there a couple more years until the children grow older and then head to pastures new, much wiser about planning!
The overbearing being the issue. The inspector said although a precedent had been set by the demolition and replacement of the other dwelling as the effect was on the new dwelling in that case and not an existing one he didn't see it as a precedent big enough to undermine the councils recently adopted policy - this frustrates me a little as the policy seeks to protect both new and existing properties in equal measure!
So that is it, we still have a lovely home, which we really do love, we could have done with one more bedroom but hey we will last there a couple more years until the children grow older and then head to pastures new, much wiser about planning!