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Planning appeal decision

Planning permission granted10 June 20263347386

Land at The Meadows, Lenham Road, Headcorn, TN27 9LG

Planning appeal 3347386 at Land at The Meadows, Lenham Road, Headcorn, TN27 9LG (Maidstone Borough Council) was allowed on 10 June 2026 by Inspector Steen A, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: The effect of the residential use including the stationing of caravans and associated paraphernalia and operational works including the laying of hard standing, plainings/shingle and subterranean features on the intrinsic character and beauty of the landscape.

without planning permission, the material change of use of the Land for a residential use including the stationing of caravans and associated paraphernalia and operational works including the laying of hard standing, plainings/shingle and subterranean features

Authority
Maidstone Borough Council
Appeal type
enforcement · Enforcement Notice
Procedure
Written Representations
Development
caravan-gypsy · Change of use
Inspector
Steen A
Postcode
TN27 9LG

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

  • The effect of the residential use including the stationing of caravans and associated paraphernalia and operational works including the laying of hard standing, plainings/shingle and subterranean features on the intrinsic character and beauty of the landscape
  • If there were any conflict with the development plan, whether material considerations such as the need for Gypsy and Traveller accommodation and/or the personal circumstances of the occupiers would indicate a decision other than in accordance with the development plan

What decided it

The identified need for Gypsy and Traveller accommodation, combined with the Council's inability to demonstrate a 5-year supply and the non-significant nature of the landscape harm, outweighed the conflict with landscape character policies.

The non-significant harm to the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside was outweighed by compliance with Policy LPRHOU8 and the need for Gypsy and Traveller accommodation in the context of a shortfall in the 5-year supply.

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies
Policy LPRSS1Policy LPRSP9Policy LPRSP14Policy LPRSP14(A)Policy LPRSP15Policy LPRHOU8Policy LPRQD4Policy HNP1Policy HNP2Policy HNP5
National Planning Policy Framework
Paragraph 11

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 Maidstone Borough Council

The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2026

  1. Quashed On Legal Grounds28 September 20263378504
    Pear View, Symonds Lane, Yalding, Kent, ME18 6HA
  2. Notice upheld17 July 20263377356
    Stephens Bridge Field, Water Lane, Headcorn, Ashford, Kent, TN27 9JP
  3. Planning permission granted22 June 20263377362
    Lenwood, Polhill Lane, Harrietsham, Maidstone, Kent, ME17 1LG
  4. Notice varied and upheld24 April 20263364740
    5 Bower Place, Maidstone, Kent, ME16 8BG
  5. Dismissed31 March 20263376954
    Land East of Water Lane, Headcorn, Kent, TN27 9JP

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.