Millfield Meadow Forstal Lane, Harrietsham, MAIDSTONE, ME17 1LB

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the conversion of the office building is acceptable, having regard to the Council's spatial strategy
• the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the surrounding countryside and the effect on the setting of the Kent Downs NL
• whether the proposal would be a suitable location for housing, having regard to the Council's spatial strategy and the provisions of the Framework

What decided it

The substantial harm to the character and appearance of the countryside and the setting of the Kent Downs National Landscape, combined with the unacceptable conversion failing to meet Policy LPRQD5 criteria, outweighed the limited benefits of site tidying and environmental enhancements, and the proposal's conflict with the development plan could not be justified by material considerations.

Substantial weight was afforded to the conflicts with the development plan and the harm to character and appearance and the Kent Downs National Landscape setting; limited weight was given to site tidying and environmental enhancements; the proposal's delivery of seven dwellings attracted no weight given the Council's demonstrated five-year housing land supply; the balance tipped decisively against the proposal.