132 Sandling Lane, Penenden Heath, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 2EG

the change of use of land to residential garden and extension of existing drive (retrospective)

Authority: Maidstone Borough Council
Appeal type: minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: residential · Change of use
Inspector: Walker R

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

The effects of the development on the irreplaceable habitat within the Sandling Wood Ancient Woodland
The character and appearance of the area with particular reference to the Sandling Wood Ancient Woodland

What decided it

The absence of substantive technical evidence demonstrating that the development would not harm the irreplaceable habitat of the Ancient Woodland, combined with the failure to demonstrate wholly exceptional reasons for such loss as required by NPPF paragraph 186.

Framework references: 186

Plan policies cited: LPRSP14(A), LPRSP15, LPRQD4, LPRSP9

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What an account adds

Draw a red line around your site and the appraisal follows.
- Heritage. Listed buildings by grade and distance, conservation areas, scheduled monuments, registered parks and gardens, heritage at risk.
- Landscape and environment. Green belt, national parks and national landscapes, SSSIs, ancient woodland, SPA, SAC and Ramsar sites, nutrient catchments.
- Flooding. Flood zones 2 and 3, surface water, and both again with climate change.
- Transport. The 800 metre station catchment and service frequency, bus stops with their weekday frequency, the cycle network, and the Framework’s transport tests measured for the site.
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