®Planning appeal decision
Building 3, Hales Court, Paradise Farm, Lower Hartlip Road, Hartlip, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME9 7SU
Conversion of 2no. agricultural buildings to create 1no. three bedroom dwelling, erection of infill extension, alterations to fenestration including associated access, parking and landscaping
- Authority
- Swale Borough Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- Pattison B
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- whether the site is a suitable location for the proposal having regard to local and national planning policy, and the accessibility of the site to services, employment opportunities and facilities
What decided it
The site's location outside any defined development boundary in open countryside, combined with poor accessibility to services and facilities requiring reliance on private vehicles, means it is not a suitable location for residential development under the Local Plan's settlement strategy and the Framework's sustainability objectives, and this harm significantly and demonstrably outweighs the limited benefits of housing delivery.
The adverse impacts of locating housing in an unsustainable rural location, contrary to the Framework's aim of enhancing or maintaining the vitality of rural communities, significantly and demonstrably outweigh the limited benefits of one dwelling, temporary and ongoing economic benefits, and biodiversity enhancements, such that the presumption in favour of sustainable development does not apply.
Framework references: 11, 83, 84
Plan policies cited: Policy ST1, Policy ST3, Policy CP2, Policy CP3, Policy DM3, Policy DM14
The main issues and the deciding factor are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.