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Planning appeal decision

Dismissed31 March 20263376954

Land East of Water Lane, Headcorn, Kent, TN27 9JP

Planning appeal 3376954 at Land East of Water Lane, Headcorn, Kent, TN27 9JP (Maidstone Borough Council) was dismissed on 31 March 2026 by Inspector Dade E, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: whether the proposed development would be at risk of flooding.

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
Postcode
TN27 9JP

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

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies
Policy LPRSP15Policy LPRSP14(A)
National Planning Policy Framework
Paragraph 11Paragraph 170

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.

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The decision letter

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More decisions in Maidstone Borough Council

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

  1. Planning permission granted10 June 20263347386
    Land at The Meadows, Lenham Road, Headcorn, TN27 9LG
  2. Allowed2 March 20263375644
    Plot 8, Eclipse Park, Sittingbourne Road, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 3EN
  3. Allowed27 January 20263373625
    Plot 2 The Meadows, Lenham Road, Headcorn, Kent, TN27 9LG
  4. Allowed24 October 20253367625
    Merrymaids Farm, Couchman Green Lane, Staplehurst, Kent, TN12 0RR
  5. Allowed12 September 20253367233
    Plot 3, The Meadows, Lenham Road, Headcorn, Maidstone, Kent, TN27 9LG

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.