Eight traveller pitches at Acers Place, Lenham Road, Headcorn

The site and surroundings

The site is countryside in the Low Weald Landscape of Local Value, near Headcorn, with existing Traveller pitches on both sides and mature landscaping.

“Planning Committee Report 23 April 2026 REPORT SUMMARY Relevant planning history 18/500007/ENF Appeal against enforcement notice - Unauthorised change of use of land to a gypsy/traveller site for one gypsy family including, laying of hard surfacing and the stationing of 2no caravans, and entrance with gates which is contrary to both national guidance and the local development policies.”

“Planning Committee Report 23 April 2026 1.03 The site is in the Headcorn Pasturelands Landscape Character Area (Maidstone Landscape Character Assessment (2012)). There is sporadic development in the immediate vicinity of the site comprising residential properties, farmsteads and other traveller sites. The wider landscape setting has a relatively flat to slightly undulating topography.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The drainage board and aerodrome raised no objections, while the parish councils objected over cumulative, countryside, highway, landscape, ecology and sustainability concerns.

“Objection and request the application is reported to the Planning Committee if officer minded to approve on the following grounds: • Cumulative impact. • Lack of suitable Gypsy and Traveller sites leading to overcrowding in unsuitable areas like this. • Development in the open countryside contrary to paragraph 25 of the PPTS which states that Local Authorities should strictly limit Traveller site development in the open countryside.”

“Objection and request the application is reported to the Planning Committee if officer minded to approve on the following grounds: • Disregard for planning regulations • Adverse effect on highway safety • Cumulative impact. • Harm to the Low Weald of Land of Local Value and Headcorn Pastureland • Inappropriate brick walls and close board fencing. • Ecology • Sustainability.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant’s representative addressed the committee.

Committee discussion

The committee discussed delegated changes to the biodiversity gain condition and corrections to the site development condition numbering.

“During the discussion, the Major Planning Applications Manager advised that delegated powers would be sought to amend Condition 15 to change the date of submission of a Biodiversity Gain Plan from prior to any development above slab level to a timeframe which would reflect the retrospective nature of the submission. It was also advised that the numbering in relation to the site development plan condition would be amended to reflect the subsequent condition numbering.”

Minutes

The vote

Members voted seven for, none against and six abstentions.

“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. Voting: 7 – For 0 – Against 6 – Abstentions…”

Minutes