Six traveller caravan plots at Alans Hectare, Hadlow, Tonbridge

What was proposed

The application sought six additional gypsy traveller pitches, each with a mobile home, day room, touring caravan, hardstanding, landscaping and parking.

“Change of use of land to a travellers caravan site consisting of 6 additional residential caravan plots to rear of existing site.”

“Description of Proposal: This application seeks to change the use of the land to provide six additional gypsy traveller pitches. Each pitch would comprise a static mobile home, day room, touring caravan together with associated hardstanding, landscaping and two parking spaces. The access would be via the existing access from Cemetery Lane. 2.”

Officer report

The site and access

The 0.5-hectare site is pasture within the Metropolitan Green Belt, served by an existing access, with a public footpath along its southern boundary.

“The Site: The site comprises a parcel of land (0.5 hectares) on the southern side of Cemetery Lane, located outside of the Rural Service Centre of Hadlow within the Metropolitan Green Belt. The site is currently divided into two areas of pasture land used in connection with the two permeant gypsy traveller pitches shown in blue on site location plan drawing no.TDA.2973.01.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions

Earlier appeals allowed two traveller pitches temporarily and then permanently, while later details concerning site conditions were approved.

“Part 1 Public 3.4 The site lies within flood zone 1, and also within an archaeological Notification Area. Planning History (relevant): Temporary planning permission (14/02816/FL) was granted on appeal in June 2016 (APP/H2265/W/15/3033682) for the change of use of the site to a private gypsy and traveller caravan site consisting of 2no.”

“16/02840/RD - Approved - 02 May 2017 Details of (a) foul and surface water drainage of the site; (b) facilities for the storage and collection of refuse/waste; (c) details of external lighting; (d) timetable for implementing the proposed landscaping and arrangements for replacement of damaged/diseased plants; and (e) details of the proposed access into the site, including materials and sightlines; submitted pursuant to condition 9 of planning permission TM/14/02816/FL…”

Officer report

Why officers recommended approval

Officers considered the land Grey Belt, identified an unmet need, found the location sustainable and concluded that adverse impacts would not outweigh the benefits.

“Therefore, to conclude on Para 155 criteria a), Officers are of the opinion that the site does not ‘strongly’ contribute to the 3 purposes of the Green Belt as set out above, as such the site would qualify as ‘Grey Belt’ land.”

“Part 1 Public would provide a strong reason for refusing or restricting development”. [Paragraph: Reference ID: 64-007-20250225]. Turning next to Criterion b) – There is a demonstrable unmet need for the type of development proposed. The Council cannot demonstrate a five year supply of deliverable Gypsy and Traveller site as confirmed within TMBC Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Show-people Position Statement December 2024 and the GTAA report 2025.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Hadlow Parish Council strongly objected, while environmental health had no comments, ecology had no objection subject to conditions, and no interested-party comments were received.

“Part 1 Public 5. Consultees: Whilst some comments have been summarised for the purpose of this report, all statutory comments have been reviewed in full. Moreover, whilst not all comments have been specifically referred to within the assessment, all comments have been taking into consideration prior to the determination of the application.”

“We request that TMBC Enforcement confirm that the conditions have been met and in particular those relating to fencing 5.3 Environmental Health Protection: No comments to make on the application. Kent Highway Services: The development proposal does not meet the criteria to warrant involvement from the Highway Authority in accordance with the current consultation protocol arrangements.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Councillor O Baldock spoke for Hadlow Parish Council and the agent spoke for the applicant.

Members’ debate

Members considered the borough’s identified need for 33 additional pitches and raised concerns about landscaping, boundary treatment and control over fencing.

“During deliberation, Members took into consideration the Gypsy and Traveller and Travelling Show-person Accommodation Assessment 2025 (GGTA) which set out an identified need for 33 additional Gypsy and Traveller pitches across the Borough.”

Minutes