Storage container replacement at Coxheath Recreation Ground, Coxheath
Summary of planning committee decision
Decided by Maidstone Planning Committee on 20 Aug 2026.
What was proposed
The application proposed removing two storage containers and replacing them with one green-painted container divided between football and parish storage.
“The proposed container is of a rectangular profile and measures a length of approximately 12m, width of 2.43m and height of 2.54m. It would be constructed from green-painted metal, matching the appearance and materials of the existing containers on site.”
Officer report
Relevant planning history
An earlier application involved a new sports pavilion, car parking, football pitches and tennis courts.
“96/1620: Erection of new sports pavilion with associated car parking and the formation of two football pitches and two tennis courts.”
Officer report
What officers recommended
Officers recommended permission because the small replacement would cause no significant visual harm and would provide community benefits supporting sports activities.
“The proposal would not result in any significant harm to the character and appearance of the site and the local area due to its small scale and location. The proposal would be in accordance with point a) above. As there are no local plan policies that specifically cover the application proposal (point b above) the application has been considered as a departure from the Local Plan Review.”
“It is concluded that material considerations including the low level of harm resulting from the application and the wider community benefits indicate that planning permission should be granted for this planning application.”
Officer report
Consultation and representations
No local resident representations or consultations were received, and the parish made no comments because it made the application.
“Local residents: No representations received.”
Officer report
Conditions attached
Permission included conditions requiring removal of the two existing containers, approved materials, bird boxes, a log pile and no external lighting.
“RECOMMENDATION GRANT PLANNING PERMISSION subject to the following conditions with delegated authority to the Head of Development Management to be able to settle or amend any necessary planning conditions and/or informatives in line with the matters set out in the recommendation and/or as resolved by the Planning Committee:”
“5) The use of the container hereby approved shall not commence until two bird boxes and a log pile as shown on drawing no. 2121.P.01 have been implemented and shall be maintained thereafter. Reason: To enhance the ecology and biodiversity on the site in the future.”
Officer report
The committee decision
The committee granted permission subject to the report’s conditions and delegated authority, with every member voting in favour.
“That permission be granted subject to the conditions set out in the report.”
“That the Head of Planning and Economic Development be given delegated powers to be able to settle or amend any necessary planning conditions and/or informatives in line with the matters set out in the recommendation and as resolved by the Planning Committee.”
Minutes
Sources
- Maidstone Planning Committee minutes, 20 August 2026
- Agenda and papers (council website)
Source: Plota analysis of Maidstone's committee minutes and officer report. Quotations are the council's own words; headings and summaries are Plota's.
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See the API →At the meeting
- Committee
- Maidstone Planning Committee
- Council
- Maidstone
- Date
- Thursday 20 August 2026
- Recommendation
- Officers recommended approval
- Committee decided
- Approved
- Minutes
- The council's minutes
- Meeting
- Agenda and papers (council website)
- Application
- View application →
- All decisions
- Maidstone committee decisions →
This committee's year
83 decisions in the 12 months to this meeting, 8 against officer advice.
Source: Plota analysis of the committee's minutes.