®Planning appeal decision
Land on the South side of Ferne Lane, Alkham, Dover, Kent, CT15 7FF
without planning permission, the material change of use of the land from agricultural to a caravan site and the stationing of caravans for permanent residential occupation
- Authority
- Dover District Council
- Appeal type
- enforcement · Enforcement Notice
- Procedure
- Hearing
- Development
- caravan-gypsy · Minor traveller and caravan pitches
- Inspector
- Steen A
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- the effect of the caravan site on the landscape and scenic beauty of the Kent Downs National Landscape
- whether the use is in a suitable location in terms of access to services and facilities (appeal A only)
- whether there are other material considerations that could outweigh any conflict with development plan policies, such as the need for Gypsy and Traveller accommodation within the District and the personal circumstances of the site occupiers
What decided it
The very significant personal circumstances of the existing and proposed occupiers, including serious health needs and lack of alternative accommodation, outweighed the harm arising from conflict with the development plan.
the very significant material consideration of the occupiers' personal circumstances outweighed the modest landscape harm and the unsuitability of the site's location, tipping the balance in favour of granting planning permission
Plan policies cited: Policy DM1, Policy DM7, Policy DM11, Policy DM15, Policy DM16, Policy SP3, Policy H3, Policy H4, Policy NE2
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.