Plot 1, The Meadows, Lenham Road, Headcorn, Kent, TN27 9LG

two static units, two day rooms (units are retrospective) for G&T use

Authority: Maidstone Borough Council
Appeal type: minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: caravan-gypsy · Minor traveller and caravan pitches
Inspector: Wright A

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

The effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area

What decided it

The Council's inability to demonstrate a five-year supply of Gypsy and Traveller pitches combined with the substantial equality considerations arising from the unmet need outweighed the modest harm to character and appearance.

The modest harm to character and appearance (moderate weight) was outweighed by the significant benefit of providing additional Gypsy and Traveller accommodation (significant weight) and the substantial weight of advancing equality, such that the presumption in favour of sustainable development applied and permission should be granted notwithstanding the conflict with the development plan.

Framework references: 11, 28

Plan policies cited: Policy LPRSP9, Policy LPRHOU8, Policy LPRQD4

Read the decision letter on the Inspectorate’s site

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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.

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