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Planning appeal decision

Notice varied and upheld11 February 20253328720

White Post Farm White Post Lane, Sole Street, Cobham, Gravesend, DA13 9AX

Planning appeal 3328720 at White Post Farm White Post Lane, Sole Street, Cobham, Gravesend, DA13 9AX (Gravesham Borough Council) was allowed in part (a split decision) on 11 February 2025 by Inspector Preston C, following a hearing. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether the development amounts to inappropriate development in the Green Belt.

The material change of use of the land from an equestrian use including the use of one caravan for security purposes and a stable building (in accordance with planning permission reference 20070228) to the unauthorised residential use of the land with the stationing of mobile homes for residential use and associated touring caravans, and the construction of an amenity day room, hardstanding and brick wall enclosures associated with the unauthorised change of use

Authority
Gravesham Borough Council
Appeal type
enforcement · Enforcement Notice
Procedure
Hearing
Development
caravan-gypsy · Change of use
Inspector
Preston C
Postcode
DA13 9AX

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

  • Whether the development amounts to inappropriate development in the Green Belt
  • Whether the occupants of the site are of Gypsy or Traveller status
  • If so, the extent of any unmet needs for Gypsy and Traveller sites in the area
  • The weight that should be afforded to any personal circumstances, having particular regard to the best interests of the child
  • The effect on the Thames Estuary and Marshes SPA
  • If the development does amount to inappropriate development in the Green Belt, if the harm by way of inappropriateness, and any other harm, is clearly outweighed by other considerations so as to amount to the very special circumstances needed to justify a grant of permission

What decided it

The combined Green Belt and other harm was not clearly outweighed by the need, supply shortfall and uncertain personal circumstances put forward, so very special circumstances were not established.

Substantial weight to Green Belt harm (inappropriateness and moderate loss of openness) plus moderate weight to harm to character/appearance and unsustainable location outweighed the significant weight given to unmet Gypsy/Traveller need, absence of a five-year site supply, policy failure, and personal circumstances, such that very special circumstances did not exist, even for a temporary permission.

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies
CS19CS02CS12
National Planning Policy Framework
Paragraph 11Paragraph 110Paragraph 143Paragraph 153Paragraph 155
Judgments
Lisa Smith court judgment

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 applied

The decision letter

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More decisions in Gravesham

The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2025

  1. Allowed15 October 20266007106
    Blackthorn Farm, Wrotham Road, Culverstone Green, Meopham, Gravesend, DA13 0QW
  2. Dismissed1 September 20266005603
    7 Hornfield Cottages, David Street, Meopham, Gravesend, DA13 0BU
  3. Allowed20 August 20263361359
    Parsonage Farm, The Street, Cobham, Kent, DA12 3DG
  4. Notice varied and upheld18 August 20263352876
    Land to the West of Sole Street Station (Known As Norbond Site), Sole Street, Cobham, Gravesend, Kent, DA13 0XY
  5. Allowed22 July 20266008224
    Walnut Hill Nursery, Walnut Hill Road, Istead Rise, DA13 9HL

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.

In the app this decision sits on the map beside every appeal around it, with its letter to read and the main issues, policies and judgments cited picked out.