The Gables, Warren Street, Lenham, Maidstone, ME17 2ED

Planning appeal 3357959 at The Gables, Warren Street, Lenham, Maidstone, ME17 2ED (Maidstone Borough Council) was allowed on 12 June 2025 by Inspector Murray D, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether the principle of the erection of a house in this location accords with the strategy in the development plan.

the demolition of existing outbuildings and the erection of a detached dwelling of outstanding architectural quality and innovative design, together with associated access, landscaping and parking, and the creation of new driveway serving The Gables

Authority: Maidstone Borough Council
Appeal type: minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: residential · Minor Dwellings
Inspector: Murray D
Postcode: ME17 2ED

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

Whether the principle of the erection of a house in this location accords with the strategy in the development plan
Whether the site lies in a sustainable location
Whether the proposal meets the terms of paragraph 139 of the NPPF, in particular by having an outstanding or innovative design which promotes high levels of sustainability
The effect on the Kent Downs National Landscape

What decided it

The outstanding and innovative design quality of the dwelling, supported by independent expert assessment, combined with its positive enhancement of the Kent Downs National Landscape and accordance with NPPF paragraph 139, outweighed the conflict with the development plan's spatial strategy.

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies: LPRSS1LPRSP9LPRSP15
National Planning Policy Framework: Paragraph 11Paragraph 84Paragraph 110Paragraph 139

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.

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The decision letter

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What an account adds to this decision

2 other decided appeals within two kilometres of this site. In the app every dot opens its decision, and its letter wherever one was published, and you can draw your own site to see what has been decided around it.AllowedDismissedSplitThis decision

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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.