®Planning appeal decision
Land north of Timbers, Boarley Lane, Sandling, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 3DE
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
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.
Framework references: 11, 100, 130, 176, 202
Plan policies cited: Policy SS1, Policy SP17, Policy SP18, Policy DM1, Policy DM4, Policy DM30
The main issues and the deciding factor are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.