Pollyfields Farm Scragged Oak Road, Detling, Maidstone, ME14 3HL

Planning appeal 3302068 at Pollyfields Farm Scragged Oak Road, Detling, Maidstone, ME14 3HL (Maidstone Borough Council) was dismissed on 26 January 2023 by Inspector Smith H, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: whether the site is a suitable location for the proposal having regard to local and national policy, and the accessibility of the site to services and facilities.

change of use and conversion of existing barns to create a single family dwelling

Authority: Maidstone Borough Council
Appeal type: minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: residential · Minor Dwellings
Inspector: Smith H
Postcode: ME14 3HL

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

whether the site is a suitable location for the proposal having regard to local and national policy, and the accessibility of the site to services and facilities
the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area, including the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
whether it has been demonstrated that a reasonable attempt has been made to secure a suitable business re-use for the existing buildings on site

What decided it

The poor accessibility of the site to essential services and facilities and the resulting high reliance on private motor vehicles by future occupants, which conflicts with the development plan's spatial strategy and national policy on sustainable development.

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies: Policy SS1Policy DM1Policy SP17Policy DM30Policy DM31
National Planning Policy Framework: Paragraph 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.

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The decision letter

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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.