Planning appeal decision
Land North of Timbers, Boarley Lane, Sandling, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 3DE
Planning appeal 3305888 at Land North of Timbers, Boarley Lane, Sandling, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 3DE (Maidstone Borough Council) was dismissed on 19 September 2023 by Inspector Smith J, 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, including its effect on the setting of the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
Part change of use of land to residential and equestrian use, and erection of a residential dwelling with associated parking
- Authority
- Maidstone Borough Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Change of use
- Inspector
- Smith J
- Postcode
- ME14 3DE
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area, including its effect on the setting of the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
- its effect on the setting of nearby listed buildings The Old Mill and The Old Mill House
- the effect on public access along Public Footpath KH19
- the effect on living conditions for the occupiers of neighbouring properties
What decided it
The less than substantial harm to the significance of the listed buildings, which was not outweighed by the modest public benefits of providing a single additional dwelling.
The less than substantial harm to the setting and significance of the listed buildings was weighed against modest public benefits of housing supply, economic benefits and energy efficiency improvements, and the balance did not favour the proposal; additionally, the harm to character and appearance and the inadequate safeguarding of public access were not outweighed by other material considerations.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy SS1Policy SP17Policy SP18Policy DM1Policy DM4Policy DM30
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 11Paragraph 100Paragraph 130Paragraph 176Paragraph 202
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


More decisions in Maidstone Borough Council
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2023
- Dismissed29 October 2026601053621 Tasker Close, Bearsted, Maidstone, ME15 8NZ
- Allowed27 October 20266015190Little Southernden, Southernden Road, Headcorn, TN27 9LL
- Allowed27 October 20266011721Loxley House, Gravelly Bottom Road, Kingswood, Maidstone, ME17 3NT
- Allowed27 October 20266011076Little Southernden, Southernden Road, Headcorn, TN27 9LL
- Allowed26 October 20266010539Land Rear Of 58 Church Street, Boughton Monchelsea, Maidstone, ME17 4HN
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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