Five Gypsy Traveller pitches at Hilltop Farm, London Road, Farningham

What was proposed

The application sought five Gypsy and Traveller pitches, each with a mobile home and day room or utility building.

“- 25/01104/FUL Revised expiry date 14 November 2025 Proposal: Proposed change of use to create 5 pitches for occupation by Gypsy Traveller Families including construction of 5 day rooms Location: Hilltop Farm, London Road, Farningham Kent DA4 0JW Ward(s): Farningham, Horton Kirby & South Darenth Item for decision Councillors Ball and White have called this application to Development Management Committee due to concerns regarding the impact of the development on the Kent…”

“The application site is located within the Green Belt and Kent Downs National Landscape. Description of proposal 3 It is proposed to change the use of the land and create 5 Gypsy and Traveller pitches, each comprising a mobile home and a dayroom/utility building. The site currently contains several mobile homes, with some being used for utility/day rooms. The proposals would regularise the development and see a reduction in the number of units on site.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The parish council objected, while environmental health, highways-related consultees, the Environment Agency and rights-of-way officers raised no objection subject to measures or conditions.

“Request for condition referring to the site licence rules/conditions. KCC Public Rights of Way: I can confirm that I do not have any objections to the above planning application at Hilltop Farm. Public Right of Way Footpath SD181 lays to the west of the site and is unaffected by the application. Environment Agency: We have no objection to the proposed development subject to the following planning conditions being included in any permission granted.”

“Foul drainage should be connected to the main sewer. Where this is not possible, under the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016 any discharge of sewage or trade effluent made to either surface water or groundwater will need to be registered as an exempt discharge activity or hold a permit issued by the Environment Agency, additional to planning permission.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A parish representative spoke against the application, and an agent spoke in support.

The committee vote

The committee agreed the recommendation to grant planning permission.

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

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

Minutes