Additional mobile home at Merry Lees, Billet Hill, Ash

What was proposed

The application sought removal of a personal occupancy condition for an additional mobile home on an existing Gypsy and Traveller site.

“- 25/00694/CONVAR Date expired 7 May 2025 Proposal: Removal of condition 1 (Occupation of the additional mobile home (in addition to that approved under planning reference 23/01755/FUL) shall be carried on only by [name withheld] and her husband or partner.”

“This application seeks to remove Condition 1 attached to 24/00651/FUL, which states as follows: “Occupation of the additional mobile home (in addition to that approved under planning reference 23/01755/FUL) shall be carried on only by [name withheld] and her husband or partner. When the land ceases to be occupied by [name withheld] and [name withheld], and their resident dependents, the additional mobile home shall be removed from the site.”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The site lies west of Ash, on a wooded and enclosed lane with dwellings nearby, and appeared vacant with basic ground works and hardstanding.

“Site and Location: The application site is located to the west of the village of Ash and approximately 2km (1.2 miles) south-west of the centre New Ash Green by road. The site is located on a lane characterised by its heavily enclosing features, including man-made features such as walls and other hard boundaries, and wooded enclosures.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions

The site has permanent permission for three caravans, while earlier permissions included a temporary use and personal occupancy restrictions.

“This appeal is a material consideration. 17 23/01755/FUL Change of use of land to use as residential Gypsy/Traveller site comprising 1 Pitch (1 Mobile Home, 1 Touring Caravan) with a fence and gate and proposed hard standing. GRANT 03/10/2023 This is permanent permission, but is subject to Condition 1, which restricts occupation to the applicant (personal permission).”

Officer report

Who spoke

A parish representative, Jake Scott, addressed the committee; no speakers were listed for or against the application.

Members’ discussion

Members asked officers about the grey belt assessment and were told that very special circumstances were no longer required; they also heard the site had temporary permission.

“Members asked questions of clarification of the Officers. It was explained that as Officers concluded that the site was a grey belt one,, the very special circumstances originally advanced were no longer required to justify use of the site. Members were advised that the site had previously had temporary permission.”

“It was moved by the Chairman from the Chair that the recommendations within the report be agreed.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee granted planning permission with a limit of three caravans, including no more than two static caravans.

“Resolved: That planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions:”

“1) No more than 3 caravans, as defined in the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960 and the Caravan Sites Act 1968 as amended (of which no more than 2 shall be static caravans) shall be stationed on the site at any time.”

Minutes