Natural burial ground at Land Known As Redhill Stables, Lenham Road, Headcorn

Why officers recommended refusal

Officers found that the required northeast visibility distance could not be achieved and that necessary vegetation clearance would harm the rural lane.

“The required visibility splays of 120m cannot be achieved to the northeast, the maximum visibility splay to the northeast is limited to about 93m to the brow of the hill. The plan at Appendix B indicates both the required and achievable visibility splays. KCC Highways have raised an objection on highway safety grounds owing to the poor visibility.”

“It is not considered that any visibility splay could be provided without the removal of said trees and any vegetation would need to be reduced to a height of 1m. As such the extent of vegetation clearance required to achieve the substandard visibility splay would cause significant harm to the character and appearance of the rural lane.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Charles Oliver of Headcorn Parish Council and the applicant addressed the meeting.

Members considered the issues

Members heard that the application had been deferred, parish mitigation had been offered, and highways still considered the fundamental safety concern unresolved.

“In introducing the application, the Principal Planning Officer advised that Members resolved to defer determination of the application on 19 March 2026 to allow further information to be provided in respect of highway matters and land ownership relating to visibility splays. The Parish Council had put forward mitigation measures, but no additional information had been received by the applicant in relation to a traffic management system. Kent County Council…”

“Highways had commented that the proposed mitigation measures would not overcome the fundamental concern and maintained their objection.”

Minutes

The vote and decision

The committee refused permission for the reasons in the report, voting 10 in favour, 3 against and with no abstentions.

“RESOLVED: That permission be refused for the reasons set out in the report.”

Minutes