112 homes and open space at Land North & South Of Kenward Road, Yalding

What was proposed

The application sought reserved matters approval for 112 two-storey homes north of Kenward Road, with infrastructure and open space south of it.

“Planning Committee Report 16 th October 2025 2. PROPOSAL 2.01 As set out above, the Outline Planning Permission (referred to hereafter as the ‘Outline Permission’) under planning ref. 23/505139/OUT was Allowed at Appeal on 12 December 2024. This Outline Permission was for all matters reserved except for access and is for removal of existing polytunnels on land north of Kenward Road, the erection of up to 112no.”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The site comprises agricultural and open-field parcels on Yalding’s settlement edge, with countryside, landscaping and flood zones nearby.

“MAIN REPORT 1. DESCRIPTION OF SITE 1.01 The application site comprises two parcels of land. One on the north-eastern side of Kenward Road measuring 4.87 ha and the other on the south-western side of Kenward Road measuring 4.36 ha – the sites are referred to hereafter as the “Northern Parcel” and the “Southern Parcel”, in that order. The Northern Parcel is a roughly rectangular plot in agricultural use, and it is evident it was most recently used for growing soft fruit.”

“The site is on the settlement edge of Yalding located to the south-east where there is a single row of two storey houses (a mix of detached, semi-detached and terraced dwellings) which face onto Kenward Road and Medway Avenue. This is of a lower density to that proposed. The site lies approximately 50 metres south of the Greensand Ridge Landscape of Local Value (LLV).”

Officer report

Why officers recommended approval

Officers considered the design, layout, scale and landscaping acceptable, with suitable materials, streetscapes and conditions securing further detail.

“Planning Committee Report 16 th October 2025 eastern buffer varying in depth from 8-14 metres in depth. This aligns with the Outline Permission. Given the similarities in the approach of the reserved matters when compared to the Outline Permission it is not considered that further LVIA would be required to inform the proposal. Therefore, with respect to layout it is considered that the proposal is acceptable.”

“The proposed boundary treatments are acceptable in principle; however, no elevations have been submitted, and finer details of their finishes are required. To ensure the design quality proposed comes to fruition, it is recommended that the following robust planning conditions are applied, should the application be minded for approval: • Detailed Design maintain design quality to show, at a scale of 1:20, typical window (reveal, header, sill), doors and communal…”

Officer report

Local concerns

Residents objected over overshadowing, trees, infrastructure, parking and flooding, while the parish council sought stronger landscaping and raised parking, drainage and design concerns.

“LOCAL REPRESENTATIONS Local Residents: Three representations received objecting to the application for the following (summarised) reasons: • Overshadowing to nearby residential properties (Medway Avenue). • Loss of Trees and Landscaping. • Concern over Infrastructure provision: doctors, traffic, school places [Officer Comment: these matters were for consideration under the Outline Permission and are not for consideration as part of this reserved matters application]”

“Planning Committee Report 16 th October 2025 • Parking provision. • Impact of flooding. Yalding Parish Council The following comments are made with a referral to committee: • Recommends the landscaping is substantial to protect the rural nature of the setting and protect the visually intrusive extension to the built form of the village. • White weather-boarding not appropriate in the local context. • Parking provision insufficient.”

Officer report

Who addressed the committee

A parish council councillor and the applicant’s representative addressed the meeting.

The decision and added details

Permission was granted subject to conditions, with informatives on native trees, solar panels and recessed wildlife kerbstones.

“That permission be granted subject to the conditions set out in the report with:”

“That the details to be submitted for future discharge of drainage conditions pursuant to the outline permission approved at appeal should include recessed wildlife kerbstones.”

Minutes