®Planning appeal decision
Land to the North of 2 Farm Cottages, Lodge Hill Lane, Chattenden, Rochester, ME3 8NS
Planning appeal 3325108 at Land to the North of 2 Farm Cottages, Lodge Hill Lane, Chattenden, Rochester, ME3 8NS (Medway Council) was dismissed on 1 March 2024 by Inspector Grierson E, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: 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.
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
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy BNE35Policy BNE37
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 11Paragraph 180Paragraph 186
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
Town Planner Pro holds this letter. The Appeals plan opens it and every other letter we hold, all of them searchable, with the main issues and what decided each case picked out. We do not show letters on the free site because they carry people’s names and addresses.
With an account
What an account adds to this decision
More decisions in Medway
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2024
- Dismissed26 October 20266014100130 High Street, Gillingham, ME7 1AS
- Dismissed9 October 20266009269Land Between Cumberland Road and Medway Road, Gillingham, ME7 1NH
- Dismissed2 October 20266009769Street Record, Callis Way, Parkwood, Gillingham, ME8 9PA
- Dismissed21 September 20266004691Land South of Woodview House, Perry Hill, Cliffe Woods, ME3 7TX
- Dismissed6 August 20266007660180-182 Luton Road, Chatham, ME4 5BP
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.