Two B8 commercial buildings at Land North Of Lodge Farmhouse, High Street, Aylesford

What was proposed

The application proposed two B8 commercial buildings, external storage and racking, parking, servicing, fencing, gates and associated works.

“Description of Proposal: This application seeks the erection of two commercial buildings (Use Class B8) with associated external storage including storage racking, staff parking, servicing and associated works including boundary fencing and access gates.”

“The buildings proposed comprise an operational/storage building and an office building. The operational/storage building comprises a pitched roof (max height to ridge 9.57m and 6.2m to eaves) and measures circa 40.3m x 20.1m (810 sq. m). The office building would be single storey with a mono pitch roof (max height 3.37m) and measures circa 15m x 12m (180 sq. m). Both buildings would not require foundations. 1.4.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is concrete hardstanding accessed from Bull Lane, with mature trees, a public right of way and listed buildings nearby.

“Part 1 Public 3. The Site: The site comprises all concrete hardstanding with mature trees marking the east and southern boundaries. Access to the site is via the existing access from Bulls Lane which also serves the wastewater treatment works to the west and the wider site. The wider site is a wedge-shaped parcel of land lying to the east of the Aylesford Wastewater Treatment Works and west of Bull Lane.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions

The wider site has permissions for hardstanding, B8 open storage, vehicle storage, training use, lighting and related works.

“Relevant Planning History: The wider site was formerly part of the Aylesford Quarry site which has been worked for its sand, gravel and clay deposits over the last 100 years. The site contained a relatively shallow deposit of sand and gravel. Once this deposit had been worked out, the site was restored by backfilling with inert waste materials and overburden from the quarry with the intention of the land reverting to agricultural use.”

“TM/23/03063/FL – Granted 9 February 2024 Construction of hardstanding to enable B8 open storage, open storage of vehicles and retention of F1 training use (including welfare and storage facilities previously approved under TM/14/00909/FL) and associated landscaping…”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval subject to conditions, finding the proposal acceptable in principle and in its effects on appearance, amenity, access and heritage.

“The layout of the parking area to the north would not impact on the character and appearance of the area. To conclude on character and appearance, officers are satisfied, subject to a material condition, that the proposal would not have an unacceptable impact on the character and appearance of the area.”

“KCC highway has also been consulted for this application and raised no objection, subject to conditions. Some of those conditions suggested by KCC are standard conditions and in this case are not required as the hard surfacing and access gates have already been implemented as such there is ample parking provision within the site to accommodate any construction traffic during the construction of the buildings.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The parish council, environmental health and highways raised no objection, subject to conditions where specified, and no interested-party comments were received.

“26/00235/FL – Approved 8 April 2026 2 x totem signage boards 5. Consultees: Aylesford Parish Council: No objection 5.2 South East Water: No comments received 5.3 Environmental Health Protection: No objection subject to conditions 5.4 KCC Highways: No objection subject to conditions.”

“Part 1 Public 5.5 Interested Parties: No comments received 6. Determining Issues: Policy Guidance 6.1 Under the provisions of Section 38(6) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, the Local Planning Authority is required to determine planning applications and other similar submissions in accordance with the Development Plan in force unless material considerations indicate otherwise.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent addressed the committee in person.

Members’ concerns

Members were concerned about heavy goods vehicles on Bull Lane and through Aylesford and Eccles, but recognised existing permissions and the highway authority’s lack of objection.

“Housing and Regulatory Services. The comments in the supplementary report and the view of the public speaker were also taken into account. Members were advised that the National Planning Policy Framework published on 17 August 2026 did not introduce any new material consideration that altered the recommendation to approve the application.”

“Members noted that the wider site already had planning permission for hardstanding and Class B8 open storage and that the proposal would not introduce a new use of the site. During discussion, concern was expressed regarding the potential movement of heavy goods vehicles along Bull Lane and through Aylesford and Eccles, having regard to the rural character of the road, existing on-street parking and the weight restriction through Aylesford.”

Minutes

The vote

The application was supported by 12 members and opposed by one.

“Following discussion, it was proposed by Councillor Palmer (Chair), seconded by Councillor Pilgrim and, following a vote of 12 in favour and one against, the Committee…”

“In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 8.6, Part 4 (Rules) of the Constitution, Councillor Chapman requested that it be recorded in the Minutes that he had voted against approval of the planning application.”

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was granted in accordance with the submitted details and the conditions, reasons and informatives.

“RESOLVED: That planning permission be GRANTED in accordance with the submitted details, conditions, reasons and informatives set out in the main and supplementary reports of the Director of Planning, Housing and Regulatory Services.”

Minutes