Land rear of Maynard Cottages, Brenchley Road, Matfield, Tonbridge

change of use and conversion of an existing outbuilding to provide a 2-bed holiday let with associated amenity area, landscaping and parking on land to the rear of Maynard Cottages, Brenchley

Authority: Tunbridge Wells Borough Council
Appeal type: minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: leisure-sport · Change of use
Inspector: Shearing C

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

The effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area including the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and whether it would be appropriate for use as a holiday let

What decided it

The proposal's compliance with NPPF paragraph 84 supporting sustainable business conversion in rural areas, combined with the significant visual improvements to the building and its limited visibility within the AONB landscape, outweighed the conflict with the restrictive Policy T3.

Framework references: 84

Plan policies cited: Policy T3, Policy EN25, Core Policy 4, Core Policy 14

Read the decision letter on the Inspectorate’s site

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What an account adds

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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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