Foxwood Chalky Road, Stockbury, SITTINGBOURNE, ME9 7QR

Authority: Maidstone Borough Council
Appeal type: minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: employment-industrial · Change of use
Inspector: Sylvester G

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

the effect of the development on the character and appearance of the area, with particular regard to the location within the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
the living conditions of nearby occupiers of residential properties, with particular regard to noise and disturbance

What decided it

The material harm to the character and appearance of the area and the landscape and scenic beauty of the Kent Downs AONB caused by the large expanse of stone hardstanding with parked commercial vehicles outweighs any material considerations in favour of the proposal.

Framework references: 176, 85

Plan policies cited: Policy SP17, Policy DM1, Policy DM30

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What an account adds

Draw a red line around your site and the appraisal follows.
- Heritage. Listed buildings by grade and distance, conservation areas, scheduled monuments, registered parks and gardens, heritage at risk.
- Landscape and environment. Green belt, national parks and national landscapes, SSSIs, ancient woodland, SPA, SAC and Ramsar sites, nutrient catchments.
- Flooding. Flood zones 2 and 3, surface water, and both again with climate change.
- Transport. The 800 metre station catchment and service frequency, bus stops with their weekday frequency, the cycle network, and the Framework’s transport tests measured for the site.
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