Planning appeal decision
2 Mays Cottages, St. Helens Lane, East Farleigh, Maidstone, ME15 0LA
Planning appeal 3269283 at 2 Mays Cottages, St. Helens Lane, East Farleigh, Maidstone, ME15 0LA (Maidstone Borough Council) was dismissed on 15 December 2021 by Inspector Ellis G, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: the effect of the development on the character and appearance of the area.
the erection of 1no. single storey dwelling together with a car barn (part retrospective) and associated garden, access, landscaping and other works
- Authority
- Maidstone Borough Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- Ellis G
- Postcode
- ME15 0LA
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- the effect of the development on the character and appearance of the area
- whether or not the proposal is consistent with policies relating to the location of housing, including with regard to accessibility of local services and facilities
What decided it
The proposal would result in significant visual harm to the landscape setting and conflict with the spatial strategy for housing location, with no material considerations of sufficient weight to overcome these harms.
The neutral matters of neighbour support and no impact on living conditions did not outweigh the harm to character and appearance and conflict with the development plan.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- SS1SS17DM30SP17
- Judgments
- Braintree DC v SSCLG, Greyread Ltd & Granville Developments Ltd [2018] EWCA Civ 610
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.
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