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Dismissed26 January 20263374012

The Cloth Hall, Water Lane, Smarden, Ashford, Kent, TN27 8QB

Planning appeal 3374012 at The Cloth Hall, Water Lane, Smarden, Ashford, Kent, TN27 8QB (Ashford Borough Council) was dismissed on 26 January 2026 by Inspector James A, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether the appeal scheme preserves a Grade II* listed building, known as 'The Cloth Hall' and any features of special architectural or historic interest that it possesses.

Proposed alterations to approved planning scheme for the conversion of existing barn to holiday let accommodation

Authority
Ashford Borough Council
Appeal type
other · Listed Building Consent & Conservation Area Consent Appeal
Procedure
Written Representations
Development
leisure-sport · Minor Dwellings
Inspector
James A
Postcode
TN27 8QB

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

  • Whether the appeal scheme preserves a Grade II* listed building, known as 'The Cloth Hall' and any features of special architectural or historic interest that it possesses

What decided it

The harm to the significance of the Grade II* listed building, assessed as less than substantial but at the lower end of the scale, was not outweighed by the public benefits of the appeal scheme, as there was no clear and convincing justification that the appeal scheme was necessary to secure the asset's optimum viable use.

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies
Policy SP1Policy SP6Policy EN14
National Planning Policy Framework
Paragraph 215

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 Ashford Borough Council

The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2026

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  3. Dismissed8 October 20266012673
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  5. Dismissed30 September 20266011714
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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.

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.