®Planning appeal decision
Land North of Wildacre, Sole Street, Cobham, Gravesend, DA13 0XZ
Planning appeal 3318266 at Land North of Wildacre, Sole Street, Cobham, Gravesend, DA13 0XZ (Gravesham Borough Council) was dismissed on 17 October 2023 by Inspector Pattison B, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether or not the proposal would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt having regard to the National Planning Policy Framework and any relevant development plan policies.
erection of detached family dwelling of two storey design with integral garage, driveway and associated landscaping with dwelling to be served by existing vehicular access
- Authority
- Gravesham Borough Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- Pattison B
- Postcode
- DA13 0XZ
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- Whether or not the proposal would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt having regard to the National Planning Policy Framework and any relevant development plan policies
- The effect of the proposal on the openness of the Green Belt
- The effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the landscape character area of Meopham Downs and the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
- The effect of the proposal on the living conditions of neighbouring occupiers, with particular regard to the effects on privacy
- If it is inappropriate development, whether the harm by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, is clearly outweighed by other considerations so as to amount to the very special circumstances needed to justify the development
What decided it
The proposal constitutes inappropriate development in the Green Belt with substantial harm to openness and character, and this harm is not clearly outweighed by other considerations including the contribution to housing supply.
The substantial weight given to Green Belt harm was not clearly outweighed by other considerations, including the limited contribution to housing supply and the accessible location, such that very special circumstances could not be demonstrated.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy CS12Policy CS19
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 11Paragraph 137Paragraph 149Paragraph 176
- Judgments
- Julian Wood v SSCLG and Gravesham Borough Council [2015] EWCA Civ 195
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 Gravesham
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2023
- Allowed15 October 20266007106Blackthorn Farm, Wrotham Road, Culverstone Green, Meopham, Gravesend, DA13 0QW
- Dismissed1 September 202660056037 Hornfield Cottages, David Street, Meopham, Gravesend, DA13 0BU
- Dismissed10 June 20266003544Land South of White Post Lane, Cobham, Gravesend, DA13 9AX
- Planning permission granted19 March 20263349903Land North of Brecon Heron Hill Lane, Culverstone, Meopham, DA13 0DT
- Allowed11 March 20266001663Clijon Farm, Whitehill Road, Meopham, Kent, DA13 0NY
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.