®Planning appeal decision
Eastfield Farm Stables, Heron Hill Lane, Gravesend, Kent, DA13 0DU
Planning appeal 3321001 at Eastfield Farm Stables, Heron Hill Lane, Gravesend, Kent, DA13 0DU (Gravesham Borough Council) was allowed on 22 February 2024 by Inspector Cryan M, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether the proposal would be inappropriate development within the Green Belt having regard to the Framework and any relevant development plan policies, and its effects on the openness and purposes of the Green Belt.
the demolition of an existing stable complex and construction of a new equestrian barn
- Authority
- Gravesham Borough Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- agricultural · Minor retail and services
- Inspector
- Cryan M
- Postcode
- DA13 0DU
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- Whether the proposal would be inappropriate development within the Green Belt having regard to the Framework and any relevant development plan policies, and its effects on the openness and purposes of the Green Belt
- The effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area, including local landscape character
- The effect of the proposed development on highway safety
- If the development is inappropriate, 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 necessary to justify the development
What decided it
The substantial animal and staff welfare benefits resulting from improved stable conditions that comply with the Code of Practice for Horse Welfare clearly outweighed the harm to Green Belt openness and inappropriateness of development.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy CS02Policy CS11Policy CS12Policy CS19Saved Policy C17Saved Policies T1Saved Policies T3Saved Policies T4
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 11Paragraph 142Paragraph 143Paragraph 152Paragraph 153Paragraph 154
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 2024
- 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.