Planning appeal decision
Harrietsham Primary School And School House, Ashford Road, Harrietsham, Kent, ME17 1AJ
Planning appeal 3303912 at Harrietsham Primary School And School House, Ashford Road, Harrietsham, Kent, ME17 1AJ (Maidstone Borough Council) was allowed on 11 August 2023 by Inspector Simpson L, 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 and in particular, its effect on a non-designated heritage asset (NDHA).
described on the planning application form as ‘Single storey extension with additional rooflights and addition of a West facing dormer with obscure window to as Change of use to the existing School House to provide 2 No. 3- bedroom dwellings and a new 4-bedroomed detached double storey residential dwelling with double garage. Widened opening to existing vehicle entrance in Church Road and new landscaped access roads, gardens and perimeter walls
- Authority
- Maidstone Borough Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Change of use
- Inspector
- Simpson L
- Postcode
- ME17 1AJ
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- The effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area and in particular, its effect on a non-designated heritage asset (NDHA)
What decided it
The substantial restoration and retention of the schoolhouse combined with significant enhancement of its setting through removal of harmful outbuildings outweighed the minor harm from contemporary additions, resulting in overall compliance with heritage and design policies.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy DM1Policy DM4
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 203
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
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With an account
What an account adds to this decision


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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.
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