®Planning appeal decision
1 Gleaming Wood Drive, CHATHAM, ME5 8XT
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.
Framework references: 11, 180
Plan policies cited: Policy SP17, Policy DM3
The main issues and the deciding factor are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.