Woodside, Firs Lane, Hollingbourne, Maidstone, ME17 1XJ

Planning appeal 3291373 at Woodside, Firs Lane, Hollingbourne, Maidstone, ME17 1XJ (Maidstone Borough Council) was allowed on 17 May 2023 by Inspector Shearing C, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: The effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area.

demolition of existing dwelling and erection of three detached dwellings

Authority: Maidstone Borough Council
Appeal type: minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: residential · Minor Dwellings
Inspector: Shearing C
Postcode: ME17 1XJ

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

The effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area

What decided it

The proposal would preserve the character and appearance of the area and would not cause visual harm when considered in the context of the varied existing residential development along Firs Lane and the established clusters of development visible from the valley.

Even if the Council could not demonstrate a five-year housing land supply and paragraph 11(d) of the Framework were applicable, the absence of any adverse impacts and the compliance with Framework policies protecting areas of particular importance meant the proposal benefited from the presumption in favour of sustainable development.

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies: Policy SS1Policy SP17Policy DM32Policy DM11
National Planning Policy Framework: Paragraph 11

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.