®Planning appeal decision
Land to the North of 2 Farm Cottages, Lodge Hill Lane, Chattenden, Rochester, ME3 8NS
the demolition of existing structures and erection of 9No. residential dwellings. Formalisation of the existing access from Lodge Hill Lane and provision of associated car parking, hardstanding, landscaping and infrastructure including drainage and earthworks
- Authority
- Medway Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- Grierson E
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- The effect of the proposed development on Chattenden Woods and Lodge Hill Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) with regard to increased recreational activity and the effect on Nightingale birds from cat predation
What decided it
The significant harm to the Chattenden Woods and Lodge Hill SSSI from recreational pressures and cat predation could not be avoided, adequately mitigated or compensated for, and the limited housing benefits would not clearly outweigh the impact on the features that make the site of special scientific interest.
The benefits of housing delivery and SME development on previously developed land were outweighed by the significant harm to the SSSI, which provides a clear reason for refusal under the Framework's protection of assets of particular importance, displacing the presumption in favour of sustainable development
Framework references: 11, 180, 186
Plan policies cited: Policy BNE35, Policy BNE37
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.