Planning appeal decision
Woodfield, White Hill Road, Detling, Kent, ME14 3HH
Planning appeal 3344940 at Woodfield, White Hill Road, Detling, Kent, ME14 3HH (Maidstone Borough Council) was allowed on 29 November 2024 by Inspector Pattison B, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether the existing building is suitable for conversion having regard to the relevant development plan policies.
re-use of an existing former stable building as a holiday- let, with associated external alterations, biodiversity enhancements and parking provision
- Authority
- Maidstone Borough Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- leisure-sport · Change of use
- Inspector
- Pattison B
- Postcode
- ME14 3HH
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- Whether the existing building is suitable for conversion having regard to the relevant development plan policies
- The effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the Kent Downs National Landscape and the surrounding countryside
What decided it
The proposal complies with Policy LPRQD5 criteria for conversion of rural buildings for tourism use, and the building's modest scale, traditional materials and screened location mean it would conserve rather than harm the character and appearance of the Kent Downs National Landscape.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- LPRSS1LPRSP9LPRSP15LPRQD4LPRQD5SD1SD2SD7SD9
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 182
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 Maidstone Borough Council
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2024
- Dismissed29 October 20253368299Waterman Quarter Cottage, Waterman Quarters, Headcorn, Kent, TN27 9JJ
- Dismissed22 August 20253361447Land At Riverdale, St Helens Lane, West Farleigh, Kent, ME15 0LB
- Dismissed24 June 20253354805Chegworth Mill Farm, Chegworth Road, Harrietsham, Kent, ME17 1DD
- Dismissed3 June 20253259300Monk Lakes, Staplehurst Road, Maidstone, Kent, TN12 9BS
- Allowed25 April 20253350797Neverend Farm, Pye Corner, Ulcombe, Maidstone, Kent, ME17 1EF
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.
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