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Dismissed16 September 20266005088

Leydens Farm, Lydens Lane, Hever, TN8 7EP

Planning appeal 6005088 at Leydens Farm, Lydens Lane, Hever, TN8 7EP (Sevenoaks) was dismissed on 16 September 2026 by Inspector Claire Coles, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether the development comprises inappropriate development in the Green Belt having regard to the Framework and any relevant development plan policies.

Formation of ancillary building in residential curtilage

Authority
Sevenoaks
Appeal type
householder · Householder
Procedure
Written
Development
other
Inspector
Claire Coles
Postcode
TN8 7EP

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

  • Whether the development comprises inappropriate development in the Green Belt having regard to the Framework and any relevant development plan policies
  • The effect of the development on the openness of the Green Belt and the purposes of including land within it
  • The effect of the development on the natural beauty of the High Weald National Landscape
  • Whether there are other considerations weighing in favour of the development
  • Whether the harm by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, is clearly outweighed by other considerations. If so, does this amount to the very special circumstances required to justify the proposal

What decided it

The proposal constitutes inappropriate development in the Green Belt that would harm openness and the purposes of Green Belt protection, and would not conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the High Weald National Landscape, with no other considerations sufficient to demonstrate very special circumstances.

The substantial weight to be given to Green Belt harm and other harm was not clearly outweighed by other considerations, either individually or cumulatively, sufficient to demonstrate very special circumstances.

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies
Policy GB3 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management PlanPolicy EN5 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management PlanSection 5 of the Green Belt Supplementary Planning Document
Judgments
Bernard Wheatcroft Ltd v Secretary of State for the Environment (JPL, 1982, P37)

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 Sevenoaks

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

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  5. Allowed22 September 20266012162
    Oakwood House, School Lane, West Kingsdown, TN15 6AW

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.