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Dismissed18 March 20253347917

Lodge Farm, Goudhurst Road, Marden, Tonbridge, Kent, TN12 9NW

Planning appeal 3347917 at Lodge Farm, Goudhurst Road, Marden, Tonbridge, Kent, TN12 9NW (Maidstone Borough Council) was dismissed on 18 March 2025 by Inspector Goldberg V, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: The effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the surrounding countryside.

the ‘demolition of existing agricultural barn and erection of 2no. Chalet Bungalows, together with associated access, parking, landscaping and biodiversity/footpath enhancements’

Authority
Maidstone Borough Council
Appeal type
minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure
Written Representations
Development
residential · Change of use
Inspector
Goldberg V
Postcode
TN12 9NW

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

  • The effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the surrounding countryside

What decided it

The proposal would unacceptably urbanise the site and erode its verdant, rural and undeveloped character through the introduction of two building lines, increased built form and domestic paraphernalia, contrary to policies LPRSP9, LPRSP15 and LPRQD4 of the development plan.

Although the scheme would provide two additional dwellings, the Council has a five-year housing land supply of 7.19 years and the proposal is not required for local housing supply; the unacceptable effect on character and appearance of the countryside outweighed any housing benefit.

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies
LPRSP9LPRSP15LPRQD4

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 2025

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  2. Allowed27 October 20266015190
    Little Southernden, Southernden Road, Headcorn, TN27 9LL
  3. Allowed27 October 20266011721
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  4. Allowed27 October 20266011076
    Little Southernden, Southernden Road, Headcorn, TN27 9LL
  5. Allowed26 October 20266010539
    Land Rear Of 58 Church Street, Boughton Monchelsea, Maidstone, ME17 4HN

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.