®Planning appeal decision
Merrymaids Farm, Couchman Green Lane, Staplehurst, Tonbridge, TN12 0RR
Planning appeal 3358985 at Merrymaids Farm, Couchman Green Lane, Staplehurst, Tonbridge, TN12 0RR (Maidstone Borough Council) was dismissed on 6 June 2025 by Inspector James A, following a hearing. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether the disputed condition is necessary and reasonable, having regard to local and national planning policies which seek to restrict housing development in the countryside.
Outline planning permission for the erection of a cattle yard and a new agricultural dwelling, with means of access to be considered and all other matters reserved, without complying with condition No 7 (agricultural occupancy condition) of permission Ref MA/05/1408
- Authority
- Maidstone Borough Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Hearing
- Development
- agricultural · Other minor developments
- Inspector
- James A
- Postcode
- TN12 0RR
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- Whether the disputed condition is necessary and reasonable, having regard to local and national planning policies which seek to restrict housing development in the countryside
What decided it
The absence of a thorough marketing exercise (including marketing with the adjacent agricultural land at an appropriate price and more targeted outreach to the farming community) meant the Inspector was not convinced the dwelling was no longer required for an agricultural or forestry worker.
The limited benefit of bringing a family-sized dwelling onto the open market did not outweigh the conflict with the development plan's rural housing restriction policies, so the appeal was dismissed
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy LPRCD3Policy LPRSS1Policy LPRSP9Policy H34
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 57
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 appliedThe decision letter
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With an account
What an account adds to this 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.