®Planning appeal decision
Land to the East and West of Church Street, Cliffe, Rochester, Kent, ME3 7QP
Planning appeal 3313673 at Land to the East and West of Church Street, Cliffe, Rochester, Kent, ME3 7QP (Medway Council) was allowed on 28 November 2023 by Inspector Norman R, following an inquiry. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether the proposed development would be in a suitable location having regard to access to services and facilities.
an outline application with all matters reserved except for access for a residential development of up to 250 dwellings and a mixed-use community hub together with associated infrastructure including public open space and community facilities comprising a replacement sports ground and pavilion, with accesses from Church Street, Cooling Road and Buttway Lane
- Authority
- Medway Council
- Appeal type
- other · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Inquiry
- Development
- residential · Unknown
- Inspector
- Norman R
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- Whether the proposed development would be in a suitable location having regard to access to services and facilities
- The effect of the development on the character and appearance of the area and the countryside
- The effect of the development on the living conditions of nearby residents
- The effect of the development on the provision of community facilities, specifically the APCM Sports Ground
- In light of the lack of a five-year housing land supply, the weight that should be given to the relevant Development Plan Policies
What decided it
The significant benefits of the scheme, particularly housing delivery under the tilted balance, significantly and demonstrably outweighed the limited-weight conflict with the out-of-date Policy BNE25.
The significant benefits of market and affordable housing, improved sports and community facilities, open space, biodiversity net gain and economic benefits significantly and demonstrably outweighed the limited-weight conflict with Policy BNE25, tipping the tilted balance in favour of granting permission.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy S1Policy S2Policy BNE25Policy T3Policy T4Policy BNE1Policy BNE2Policy T2Policy L3Policy INFRA3Policy SUSDEV4Policy CF2
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 11Paragraph 84Paragraph 92Paragraph 99Paragraph 105Paragraph 111Paragraph 130
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.