®Planning appeal decision
Crofton Lomas Lane, Sandhurst, Cranbrook, TN18 5PT
Planning appeal 3374473 at Crofton Lomas Lane, Sandhurst, Cranbrook, TN18 5PT (Tunbridge Wells Borough Council) was dismissed on 12 January 2026 by Inspector Francis L, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: whether the site is a suitable location for the creation of an additional dwelling having regard to the Council's strategy for the location of development.
separate access for the new dwelling (Whitecroft), approved under 22/03083/FULL and change of use of Crofton from annexe to dwellinghouse, together with single storey extension
- Authority
- Tunbridge Wells Borough Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Change of use
- Inspector
- Francis L
- Postcode
- TN18 5PT
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- whether the site is a suitable location for the creation of an additional dwelling having regard to the Council's strategy for the location of development
- the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area with particular regard to whether the proposal would conserve and enhance the landscape, scenic and natural beauty of the High Weald National Landscape (HWNL)
- whether the condition is reasonable and necessary with regard to the main issues identified above (Appeal B only)
What decided it
The proposal conflicts with the development plan spatial strategy by locating a new dwelling in the countryside outside settlement boundaries where it is not supported by policy, and Appeal A would cause harmful suburbanisation through loss of hedgerow and introduction of extensive hardstanding contrary to National Landscape conservation duties.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- STR1STR6STR8H10EN1EN18EN19
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 189
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
Town Planner Pro holds this letter. The Appeals plan opens it and every other letter we hold, all of them searchable, with the main issues and what decided each case picked out. We do not show letters on the free site because they carry people’s names and addresses.
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.