®Planning appeal decision
Land east of Water Lane, Headcorn, Kent, TN27 9JP
6 number static units, space for 6 number touring caravans and associated parking, 2 facility blocks all for gypsy and traveller use
- Authority
- Maidstone Borough Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- caravan-gypsy · Minor traveller and caravan pitches
- Inspector
- Dade E
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- whether the proposed development would be at risk of flooding
- the effect of the proposed development on the water environment
What decided it
The site's location within Flood Zone 3b and the incompatibility of highly vulnerable caravan development with this flood zone, combined with the failure to demonstrate safe access and egress during flood events and the absence of a pollution risk assessment for the proposed non-mains drainage system, provide a strong reason for refusal that outweighs the benefits of addressing the Council's shortfall in gypsy and traveller pitch supply.
the benefits of providing gypsy and traveller accommodation and advancing equality of opportunity did not outweigh the unacceptable risk to future occupants from flooding and the potential harm to the water environment
Framework references: 11, 170
Plan policies cited: Policy LPRSP15, Policy LPRSP14(A)
The main issues and the deciding factor are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.