Refurbished oast and new home at Crabtree Oast, Staplehurst

“MAIN REPORT 1. DESCRIPTION OF SITE 1.01 In policy terms the application site is located in the countryside. The application site consists of two areas. The first being the existing house and gardens and the second a larger area that is a storage facility/breakers yard for cars. The existing house is a chalet style dwelling which includes a roundel, the submitted statement appears to indicate that the roundel may be a replica.”

“1) The garage to be converted is not listed. The garage to be converted is not an unlisted building of quality and traditional construction which is grouped with one or more listed buildings in such a way as to contribute towards the setting of listed buildings. The garage to be converted does not contribute to landscape character, and does not exemplify the historical development of the Kentish landscape.”

“Appeal Dismissed on the grounds of visual impact, the refusal related to point 3 was discounted.”

“CONCLUSION 7.01 Taking into account the revisions following the previous refused application, the appeal decision and guidance from the inspectorate, it is not assessed that the development results in a significant level of harm to the character and appearance of the immediate area or the wider countryside. The development would not cause harm to the amenity of neighbouring occupants, future occupants nor would it result in harm to the highway network.”

“RECOMMENDATION GRANT planning permission subject to the following conditions and the prior completion of a legal agreement to secure the heads of terms set out below with delegated authority to the Head of Development Management to be able to settle or amend any necessary Heads of Terms, planning conditions and/or informatives in line with the matters set out in the recommendation and as resolved by the Planning Committee: S106 to require prior payment of monitoring fees of…”

“CONSULTATIONS (Please note that summaries of consultation responses are set out below. Comments are discussed in more detail in the section where considered necessary) Environmental Health 5.01 No objection. APPRAISAL 6.01 The key issues are: • Spatial Strategy • Character and Appearance • Brownfield Policy HOU1 and sustainability of the location • Heritage Impacts • Neighbouring Amenity • Residential Amenity • Landscaping…”

“Spatial Strategy 6.02 The starting point for assessment of all applications in the countryside is LPR Policy SS1 which provides the spatial strategy for the borough, with the Maidstone urban area the primary focus for new housing. In the hierarchy, designated rural service centres and larger villages are the secondary focus for new development.”

“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.”

“3) The development hereby approved shall not commence above slab level until, written details and samples of the materials to be used in the construction of the external surfaces of the buildings hereby permitted have been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority and the development shall be constructed using the approved materials. Reason: To ensure a satisfactory appearance to the development.”

“Reason: To enhance the ecology value of the site. 5) Prior to the commencement of the development hereby approved above damp- proof course level, details and evidence of the measures necessary to incorporate at least 10% on-site renewable or low carbon energy production measured as a percentage of overall consumption shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority.”