1 Gleaming Wood Drive, Chatham, ME5 8XT

Planning appeal 3270846 at 1 Gleaming Wood Drive, Chatham, ME5 8XT (Maidstone Borough Council) was dismissed on 14 February 2022 by Inspector Symmons E, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the open countryside.

erection of 115 dwellings together with associated infrastructure, open space, landscaping and access works

Authority: Maidstone Borough Council
Appeal type: major · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: residential · Major dwellings
Inspector: Symmons E

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the open countryside
whether the proposal would lead to loss and deterioration of ancient woodland

What decided it

The proposal would cause direct and indirect harm to ancient woodland without wholly exceptional reasons being demonstrated, contrary to Policy DM3 and NPPF paragraph 180(c).

Although the localised harm to character and appearance could be outweighed by housing benefits including 40% affordable housing and improved woodland management, the irreplaceable nature of ancient woodland and the failure to demonstrate wholly exceptional reasons for its loss meant the conflict with ancient woodland policy could not be outweighed, and the appeal was dismissed.

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies: Policy SP17Policy DM3
National Planning Policy Framework: Paragraph 11Paragraph 180

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.

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The decision letter

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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.