Two chalet houses at 62 Maidstone Road, Lenham

“The land to be occupied by the proposed chalet houses is within the settlement boundary of Lenham. The western part of the wedge-shaped site is located outside the settlement boundary.”

“The application site is currently the side garden of the existing bungalow at 62 Maidstone Road. The application site includes half of an existing double garage and several outbuildings along the rear boundary.”

“04/2417 Outline application for the erection of 1 No dwelling with all matters reserved for future consideration as shown on drawing number 23:583 received on 23/12/04 Refused 16.02.2005.”

“RECOMMENDATION: GRANT PLANNING PERMISSION subject to conditions and planning obligations…”

“SUMMARY OF REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION: The development is acceptable regarding the relevant provisions of the Development Plan, Neighbourhood Plan, the NPPF and all other material considerations such as are relevant.”

“Following the above assessment, the development is found to be in accordance with DM 11 (i) in that the higher density resulting from the development would not result in significant harm to the character and appearance of the area. The application is in accordance with Local Plan policy DM9 (iv) that requires sufficient parking to be provided within the curtilage of the dwelling without diminishing the character of the street scene.”

“The proposal is in accordance with local plan policy DM1 in that it will “...safely accommodate the vehicular and pedestrian movement generated by the proposal on the local highway network and through the site access”. The proposal is kin accordance with the NPPF as it is acceptable in relation to highway safety and the residual cumulative impacts on the road network are not severe.”

“Environmental Health 5.02 No objection subject to conditions.”

“Natural England 5.03 No objection subject to planning condition or obligation securing mitigation.”

“Lenham Parish Council Objection for the reasons outlined below. • The site is not part of the approved Lenham Neighbourhood Plan (made on 14th July 2021) which details the siting of some 1500 houses to be built during the period 2017 to 2031 as required by the borough council. (Officer response: Whilst the site is not part of any designation within the Lenham Neighbourhood Plan, this does not prevent windfall sites from coming forward.”

“Refusal of the current planning application would be consistent with the Borough Council's recent refusal of the planning application to develop the site of Victoria's nightclub. The net result would be the extension of sporadic development severely eroding the perception and the actuality of the green, undeveloped strategic gap between the villages of Harrietsham and Lenham.”

“A. The prior completion of a legal agreement in such terms as the Head of Legal Partnership may advise to secure the Heads of Terms set out in the report and the prior payment of monitoring fees; and…”