Green Tops, Symonds Lane, Maidstone, Kent, ME18 6HA

change of use of land and the erection of a single storey dwelling for occupation exclusively by a gypsy/traveller family

Authority: Maidstone Borough Council
Appeal type: minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: caravan-gypsy · Change of use
Inspector: Smith D

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

Whether the proposed dwellings would be in a suitable location having regard to the risk of flooding
The effect on the character and appearance of the surrounding area

What decided it

The proposed dwellings would not be in a suitable location due to their location in Flood Zone 3 without a sequential test being undertaken, and the Pear View proposal would cause significant harm to character and appearance, both contrary to the development plan with no material considerations to outweigh these findings.

Plan policies cited: Policy DM15, Policy DM1, Policy SP17, Policy DM30

Read the decision letter on the Inspectorate’s site

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.

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What an account adds

Draw a red line around your site and the appraisal follows.
- Heritage. Listed buildings by grade and distance, conservation areas, scheduled monuments, registered parks and gardens, heritage at risk.
- Landscape and environment. Green belt, national parks and national landscapes, SSSIs, ancient woodland, SPA, SAC and Ramsar sites, nutrient catchments.
- Flooding. Flood zones 2 and 3, surface water, and both again with climate change.
- Transport. The 800 metre station catchment and service frequency, bus stops with their weekday frequency, the cycle network, and the Framework’s transport tests measured for the site.
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