Land at Bybrook Builders Yard, Canterbury Road, Kennington, Ashford, Kent, TN24 9QB

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the site would be a suitable location for the proposed development, having regard to flood risk and the Sequential Test
• the effect of the development on controlled waters, having regard to the risk of pollution
• its effect on the character and appearance of the area
• whether it would make satisfactory provision for protected species and habitat

What decided it

The cumulative effect of significant harm to flood risk compliance, controlled waters protection, character and appearance of the Green Corridor, and protected species provision, none of which could be overcome by reserved matters details, outweighed the modest housing supply benefit.

The modest contribution to housing supply and associated social and economic benefits carried moderate weight in favour, but the substantial harm to flood risk management, controlled waters, character and appearance of the Green Corridor, and biodiversity protection carried substantial weight against, resulting in the adverse impacts outweighing the benefits.