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Planning appeal decision

Notice varied and upheld23 October 20253369052

Plot 1, West of Water Lane, Harrietsham, Kent, ME17 1DH

Planning appeal 3369052 at Plot 1, West of Water Lane, Harrietsham, Kent, ME17 1DH (Maidstone Borough Council) was allowed in part (a split decision) on 23 October 2025 by Inspector Hartley D, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: The effect of the loss of ancient woodland and protected trees.

without planning permission, the material change of use of land to a mixed use of keeping of horses and residential for Gypsies and Travellers including the stationing of caravans and associated operational works including the laying of hard surfacing, installation of a septic tank, erection of close boarded timber fencing and the erection of three stable buildings, two which are used as utility buildings

Authority
Maidstone Borough Council
Appeal type
enforcement · Enforcement Notice
Procedure
Written Representations
Development
caravan-gypsy · Change of use
Inspector
Hartley D
Postcode
ME17 1DH

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

  • The effect of the loss of ancient woodland and protected trees
  • The effect of the development on the character and appearance of the area
  • Whether the site is accessible to local services by means of sustainable modes of transport
  • If planning harm is identified, whether any such harm is outweighed by other considerations sufficient to justify granting planning permission

What decided it

The loss of ancient woodland as an irreplaceable habitat without wholly exceptional reasons and without a suitable compensation strategy, combined with significant harm to character and appearance and failure to meet accessibility requirements, outweighed the material considerations in favour of the development.

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies
LPRHOU8LPRHOU8(1)(b)LPRHOU8(1)(c)LPRHOU8(1)(f)LPRSP9LPRSP14(A)LPRSP15
National Planning Policy Framework
Paragraph 11Paragraph 28Paragraph 187Paragraph 193

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 applied

The decision letter

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More decisions in Maidstone Borough Council

The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2025

  1. Quashed On Legal Grounds28 September 20263378504
    Pear View, Symonds Lane, Yalding, Kent, ME18 6HA
  2. Notice upheld17 July 20263377356
    Stephens Bridge Field, Water Lane, Headcorn, Ashford, Kent, TN27 9JP
  3. Planning permission granted22 June 20263377362
    Lenwood, Polhill Lane, Harrietsham, Maidstone, Kent, ME17 1LG
  4. Planning permission granted10 June 20263347386
    Land at The Meadows, Lenham Road, Headcorn, TN27 9LG
  5. Notice varied and upheld24 April 20263364740
    5 Bower Place, Maidstone, Kent, ME16 8BG

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.

In the app this decision sits on the map beside every appeal around it, with its letter to read and the main issues, policies and judgments cited picked out.