Brockton Farm Paddock, Vicarage Lane, Charing Heath, ASHFORD, TN27 0BT

retrospective application for continued use of Gypsy/Traveller site with 4no plots each with 1no static, 1no tourer, 1no dayroom and associated access

Authority: Ashford Borough Council
Appeal type: minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: caravan-gypsy · Minor traveller and caravan pitches
Inspector: Carpenter C

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

the effect of the development on the integrity of protected European sites, with particular reference to nutrient pollution
the character and appearance of the surrounding area

What decided it

The adverse effect on the integrity of protected European sites through nutrient pollution, in the absence of sufficient evidence to demonstrate adequate mitigation, is sufficient to conclude the development is unacceptable and outweighs the material benefits of the scheme.

The substantial harm to the integrity of the SAC and SPA was not outweighed by the considerable benefits of meeting unmet Traveller accommodation need, advancing equality of opportunity for ethnic minorities and disabled persons, and supporting children's welfare and best interests.

Framework references: 11, 193, 195

Plan policies cited: Policy ENV1, Policy HOU16, Policy SP1, Policy SP6, Policy ENV3a, Policy ENV5, Charing Neighbourhood Plan 2023 Policy E4, Charing Neighbourhood Plan 2023 Policy D1

Read the decision letter on the Inspectorate’s site

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.

What an account adds

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.

Then the development plan position, the housing land supply as an Inspector last accepted it, and every appeal decided around the site with its letter.

Every English appeal since 2016, with the letter behind it wherever the Inspectorate published one. Searched by meaning as well as by words, with the key case law counted live across the letters.

Casework that chases the deadlines. Applications, appeals and conditions with their statutory dates.

The judgement stays yours. The tool gathers the material and dates it.