Ancillary accommodation at Iden Manor Nursing Home, Staplehurst

Who spoke

An objector, a representative of the parish council and the applicant addressed the committee.

Why the committee refused it

Contrary to the officer recommendation, members found the accommodation would relate poorly to the main building, appear isolated, and harm neighbours through noise and visual intrusion.

“Contrary to the recommendations the Committee resolved to refuse. In making the decision, the Committee considered that the proposed ancillary accommodation would poorly relate to the main building on site and appear as an isolated addition to the application site. The site was considered unsustainable with poor accessibility for deliveries, visual intrusion and insufficient access to amenities.”

Minutes

The reasons for refusal

Permission was refused because the accommodation sat too far from the main building, would harm neighbours' amenity, and would give future occupants a poor living environment.

“The proposed accommodation due to its height and siting would result in a harmful loss of amenity to occupants of the neighbouring mobile associated with Iden Manor Farm in terms of visual intrusion and noise disturbance arising from the nature of the proposed accommodation and the shift work of future occupiers. The development is contrary to Maidstone Borough Local Plan Review (2024) policy LPRSP15 and guidance within the NPPF (2024).”

“The proposal, due to its significant distance from the main building, and lack of formal access arrangements, would result in a poor living environment for future occupants and as such fails to safeguard their amenity. The development is contrary to Maidstone Borough Local Plan Review (2024) policy LPRSP15 and guidance within the NPPF (2024).”

Minutes