Social Value Ideas for Ashford Borough Council

Amend scheme to 141 homes

The appellant formally requested an amendment to the description of development from the higher figure to up to 141 dwellings, with a related condition limiting the site to no more than 141 units. The…

“we obviously have noticed over the course of the inquiry the concern that you've expressed about the 141 and the master plan indeed you picked me up u…”

Local plan spatial strategy defended

The council argued that the appeal would conflict with the adopted local plan’s spatial strategy, which prioritises growth in Ashford and only limited development in more rural, sensitive locations su…

“on behalf of the council we concluded by saying that the council considers that the claim benefits of the appeal scheme are significantly and demonstr…”

Significant housing shortfall

The council’s witness accepted that the borough was facing a significant housing shortfall, and that this should be considered in the planning balance and five-year housing land supply calculations. T…

“we note um at 2.76 let's just look at the context that at the time when the plan was emerging there had been a shortfall between 2011 to 2018 of 2462 …”

141-home mixed scheme

The appellant promoted a substantial mixed-use residential scheme at Tenterden, combining housing, affordable housing, a country park and sports facilities. This is a clear development opportunity rat…

“so sir the appellant proposes up to 141 homes which 50 will be affordable and a country park and sports on the site adjacent to tenterton which is agr…”

Council accepts 141-unit amendment

The council confirmed it did not object to the formal request to amend the development description to up to 141 dwellings and would try to agree the wording of the associated condition. This is a key …

“the council is content with the um proposed amendment and does not object to the request now formally made by mr white in relation to the uh descripti…”

Landscape harm central issue

The council maintained that the proposal would permanently damage the rural landscape setting of Tenterden and transform the edge of settlement into a more urban form. This was a core refusal reason a…

“the council considers that the proposed development would cause serious and permanent harm to the character appearance of the area that harm being the…”

Five-year housing supply defended

The council defended its five-year housing land supply position and said its current calculation stood at 4.54 years. It argued the supply was robust despite the appellant’s challenges over the monito…

“as is agreed in the state of common ground the council's most recent five-year housing land supply position is set out within the update document nove…”

SP2 housing strategy weight

The transcript shows a detailed dispute over how policy SP2 should be applied where there is non-delivery in Ashford. The witness accepted that the policy requires consideration of differing policy em…

“however if a borough housing shortfall in supply occurs as a result of significant non-delivery within ashford that that's the situation which we're i…”

Section 106 still unresolved

The parties reported that section 106 and the related CIL compliance statement were not yet sufficiently advanced, with detailed matters still being refined. The council said it was considering change…

“sir the in in relation to the 106 uh and the associated sill um compliance statement um i'm afraid we're not as far advanced as both parties would hav…”

AWAB’s Law Compliance Pressure

The housing service is under significant operational and compliance pressure to meet AWAB’s law deadlines for damp and mould and, from November 2026, additional hazards. Officers described the need fo…

“If a hazard in a home is affecting a tenants's health and safety, then it is within the scope of Aweber's law. The legislation has been introduced on …”

Access and Emergency Response

The housing team uses a four-hour target for emergencies, with alternative accommodation offered where a property cannot be made safe. Officers also said they give 24 hours notice for routine access, …

“Actually, what one thing we're really good at is dealing with the emergencies. Um, we have managed to get, I think, to all of our emergencies within i…”

Damp Contractor and Systems

The housing service has already procured specialist support for damp and mould and is now procuring a general maintenance contractor. Officers also referred to investment in software, CRM, a SharePoin…

“I undertook a procurement exercise to procure a dampener mold, um contractor to support obviously dampen mold. At this moment in time, I'm procuring a…”

Landscape harm to Tenterden

The witness accepted that the proposed development would harm the landscape setting and character of Tenterden and said policy HOU5(f) was not met. The evidence also said the layout and density propos…

“6.43 in essence agreeing with mr williams judgment about the contribution to the setting the landscape setting attendant which the appeal site makes y…”

Ashford-led housing strategy

The council’s evidence says the adopted local plan directs most development to Ashford and treats rural locations, including Tenterden, more restrictively. The proposed 145-dwelling scheme was argued …

“5.9 of my main proof of evidence sp2 is clear that the focus of development at ashford the town stating that the majority of housing development will …”

Ham Street windfall policy test

The council’s planning witness said the proposal must be assessed against Local Plan policy HO5, which only permits windfall development adjacent to settlement boundaries if all criteria are met. He f…

“So the spatial strategy is set out in the local plan. Um, the vision in the local plan identifies Ham Street as one of three rural service centers. Um…”