®Planning appeal decision
3 Hartleylands, Swattenden Lane, Cranbrook, Kent, TN17 3PS
Planning appeal 3257410 at 3 Hartleylands, Swattenden Lane, Cranbrook, Kent, TN17 3PS (Tunbridge Wells Borough Council) was allowed on 18 July 2023 by Inspector King T, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether the condition restricting the number of caravans at the site to one static and one tourer caravan are necessary and reasonable having regard to national policy and the objectives of the development plan in respect of gypsy and traveller accommodation.
a variation of condition 3 (No. of stationed caravans) of planning permission Ref TW/12/03241/FUL, dated 28 May 2013 for use of the land for the stationing of caravans for residential purposes for 1 No gypsy pitch at 3 Hartleylands, Swattenden Lane, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 3PS
- Authority
- Tunbridge Wells Borough Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- caravan-gypsy · Minor traveller and caravan pitches
- Inspector
- King T
- Postcode
- TN17 3PS
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- Whether the condition restricting the number of caravans at the site to one static and one tourer caravan are necessary and reasonable having regard to national policy and the objectives of the development plan in respect of gypsy and traveller accommodation
- The effect on the character and appearance of the surrounding area
What decided it
The quantified unmet need for gypsy and traveller sites (32 pitches) and the advanced draft replacement local plan policy H9 specifically identifying Hartleylands sites for intensification, combined with the site's established 30-year history as a gypsy site and its physical containment within a compound-like arrangement, outweighed the landscape and character concerns in the AONB.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy H9Policy H4Policy LBD1Policy EN1Policy EN25Core Strategy Policy 4Core Strategy Policy 5Core Strategy Policy 14
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 176
How the Inspector dealt with each one is set out in the app, in order: the development plan, national policy, housing land supply, other considerations and the planning balance, beside the letter.
See how each was appliedThe decision letter
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With an account
What an account adds to this decision
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The main issues, what decided it, the planning balance and the policies and judgments listed as cited are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro and are our summary, not the Inspector’s words; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.