35 homes with open space at The Rocks Road, East Malling, West Malling

“Erection of 35 No. residential dwellings (including affordable housing) with landscape, parking, open space, and associated works Applicant: [the applicant]:”

“Proposal: The application seeks the erection of 35No. residential dwellings, comprising a range of 1, 2, 3 and 4 bed dwellings, in the form of flats, terraced, semi-detached and detached dwellings all 2 storey in height. 3.8 40% of those dwellings (14 dwellings) are to be affordable with the affordable mix offering a range of 1, 2, 3, and 4 bed dwellings. Vehicular access to the site is proposed by way of a new priority junction with The Rocks Road.”

“Background Site and Surroundings 3.1 The site (approximately 2.4 ha) is located to the south-east of East Malling within the open countryside. The site comprises paddocks with mainly low level vegetation making the boundaries. The land slopes with the levels declining from the north to the south. Marking part of the north boundary are two commercial buildings with residential properties located to the north-west and east.”

“The site is located approximately 0.6km to the southeast of the High Street and East Malling Railway Station. Site Specific Planning Designations 3.4 The site is located within the following policy constraints.”

“- Countryside - Ground water vulnerability Zone; - Aquifer Designation Bedrock; - Source Protection Zone; - Mineral safeguarding area; and - Archaeological notification area Relevant Planning History 3.6 There is no relevant history related to the site itself.”

“The NPPF advises that significant weight should be placed on the need to support economic growth and productivity. Weighing against the development is the loss of BMV land, however this loss needs to be weighed against the aforementioned benefits and specifically the substantial weight given to the provision of 35 dwellings.”

“Consultation: The consultation responses are publicised and can be found on the Council’s public access website. The application can be found following this link and using the application reference at the top of the report. East Malling and Larkfield Parish Council Objection The two issues of major concern are the loss of another area of farmland and countryside in East Malling, and the road access to the site.”

“Kent Police No objection standard letter re designing out crime. Kent Fire No objection KCC Highways No objection subject to conditions securing a lighting scheme for MR105, the highways improvements and access arrangements, a construction management plan, EV charging points. KCC Strategic Development and Place Developer Contributions Development contributions are required for: Primary Education.”

“Consideration of this matter was adjourned until a reconvened meeting to be held on 24 September 2026.”