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Planning appeal decision

Notice varied and upheld31 January 20243288583

Maplescombe Farm, Maplescombe Lane, Farningham, Dartford, DA4 0JY

Planning appeal 3288583 at Maplescombe Farm, Maplescombe Lane, Farningham, Dartford, DA4 0JY (Sevenoaks District Council) was allowed in part (a split decision) on 31 January 2024 by Inspector Harbottle M, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether the change of use constitutes inappropriate development in the Green Belt.

Without planning permission, change of use of the land and associated buildings (Barn A and Barn B) for the storage of vehicles (88), motor vehicle repairs and motor vehicle spraying

Authority
Sevenoaks District Council
Appeal type
enforcement · Enforcement Notice
Procedure
Written Representations
Development
employment-industrial · Change of use
Inspector
Harbottle M
Postcode
DA4 0JY

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

  • Whether the change of use constitutes inappropriate development in the Green Belt
  • Its effect on the openness and purposes of including land in the Green Belt
  • Its effect on the character and appearance of the area, with particular regard to the landscape and scenic beauty of the Kent Downs Area National Landscape and its setting
  • Its effect on the significance of Maplescombe Farm House, a designated heritage asset
  • Its effect on the living conditions of nearby occupiers
  • If the change of use constitutes inappropriate development, whether the harm by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, is clearly outweighed by other considerations, so as to amount to the very special circumstances required to justify the proposal

What decided it

The distinction between the re-use of permanent buildings for motor vehicle repairs and spraying (not inappropriate development) and open storage of vehicles in an unassociated area (inappropriate development requiring very special circumstances that were not demonstrated).

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies
Policy LO1Policy LO8Policy SP1Policy GB7Policy EN2Policy EN4Policy EN5Policy EN6
National Planning Policy Framework
Paragraph 142Paragraph 155Paragraph 182Paragraph 183

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 applied

The decision letter

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The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2024

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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.

In the app this decision sits on the map beside every appeal around it, with its letter to read and the main issues, policies and judgments cited picked out.