®Planning appeal decision
Friars Coach House , Maidstone Road, Matfield, Near Tonbridge, Kent, TN12 7LG
Planning appeal 3283760 at Friars Coach House , Maidstone Road, Matfield, Near Tonbridge, Kent, TN12 7LG (Tunbridge Wells Borough Council) was dismissed on 30 May 2023 by Inspector Lo S, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether the proposed development would be in an appropriate location, having particular regard to the character and appearance of the surrounding area and development plan policies.
a two bedroom bungalow which is energy efficient (designed by Scandia-Hus). External Gross (Footprint) 113m2. Internal Gross 98m2. Alternatively, if permission cannot be allowed for a permanent dwelling, even at appeal, planning permission for a mobile home. See letter attached
- Authority
- Tunbridge Wells Borough Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- Lo S
- Postcode
- TN12 7LG
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- Whether the proposed development would be in an appropriate location, having particular regard to the character and appearance of the surrounding area and development plan policies
What decided it
The proposal would harm the High Weald AONB, which provides a clear reason for refusal under NPPF paragraph 11d) and footnote 7, such that the presumption in favour of sustainable development does not apply despite the Council's inability to demonstrate a five-year housing land supply.
The limited benefits of housing provision, economic activity during construction, environmental benefits of eco-friendly construction, and social benefits to the appellant and elderly/disabled people do not outweigh the significant harm to the AONB landscape and conflict with development plan policies protecting rural character and restraining countryside development.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy LBD1Policy EN25Policy EN1Core Policy 4Core Policy 6Core Policy 14
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 11Paragraph 176
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
Town Planner Pro holds this letter. The Appeals plan opens it and every other letter we hold, all of them searchable, with the main issues and what decided each case picked out. We do not show letters on the free site because they carry people’s names and addresses.
With an account
What an account adds to this decision
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The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2023
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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.