Land at Smarden Road, Headcorn, Maidstone, Kent, TN27 9HP

4 new static units each with associated day room for Gypsy & Traveller use

Authority: Maidstone Borough Council
Appeal type: minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: caravan-gypsy · Minor traveller and caravan pitches
Inspector: Pannell G

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

the effect of the development on the character and appearance of the area
whether the development would provide acceptable living conditions for future occupiers, with particular reference to private amenity space
whether the proposed development needs to, or has, demonstrated that a net gain in biodiversity would be achieved

What decided it

The Council's inability to meet identified Gypsy and Traveller accommodation needs, with only 1.2 years supply and no plan-led provision until 2028, outweighed the modest harm to character and appearance.

Framework references: 26, 187

Plan policies cited: LPRHOU8, LPRSP9, LPRSP15, LPRQD4, LPRQD7, LPRSP10C, LPRSP14A

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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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