®Planning appeal decision
Chegworth Mill Farm, Chegworth Road, Harrietsham, Kent, ME17 1DD
Planning Application for the use of existing arable field to the southwest of Chegworth Mill Farm to be used as a ‘Glamping Site’, comprising 8no. seasonal glamping units, alongside the erection of a Farm Shop with associated storage, and staff welfare facilities and provision of WC/shower facilities for glamping tourists and provision of facilities, with associated parking, access and infrastructure
- Authority
- Maidstone Borough Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- leisure-sport · Minor retail and services
- Inspector
- Pattison B
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- The effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area including with regard to the Kent Downs National Landscape (KDNL) and the Len Valley Local Landscape of Value (LVLLV)
- Whether the proposed glamping accommodation would be in a suitable location, having regard to access to services and facilities
- Whether the proposed retail use is suitable having regard to the development plan policies
What decided it
The large expanse of car parking spreading across a significant portion of the appeal site close to Chegworth Road would be a dominant, urbanising and significantly harmful feature at odds with the rural character of the area and the Len Valley Local Landscape of Value, which could not be outweighed by the economic and tourism benefits of the scheme.
Framework references: 189, 110, 88
Plan policies cited: LPRSS1, LPRSP9, LPRSP15, LPRQD4, LPRTLR2, LPRCD6, LPRSP14(C), LPRCD1
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.