Social Value Ideas for Ashford Borough Council

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…”

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…”

Updated NPPF and housing supply

Officers told members that the newly published NPPF and housing delivery test results took immediate effect and had to be treated as material considerations. The housing land supply position fell to 3…

“Speaker 7: Thank you, chair. Yes. I just wanted to, update and summarize for members, particularly for the, the applications on this evening's agenda,…”

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…”

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 …”

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…”

Green Stables self-build home

The committee approved a new self-build dwelling, detached car barn and associated infrastructure on land north of the bungalow in Green Lane, Chollock. Officers considered the site not sustainably lo…

“Speaker 15: Thank you, chairman. Good evening, members. This application seeks planning permission for the change of use of land for the erection of o…”

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…”

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…”

Admit late mitigation evidence

The council sought to introduce late material relating to nutrient mitigation, including a Stodmarsh-related letter, cabinet minutes and a leaders' briefing. The inspector accepted the material after …

“Um so we've got a letter and we have a a covering note that the uh that the council has prepared just to take the to take the figures of of mitigation…”

HMO to town centre approved

The committee approved conversion of a grade II listed office building at 11 North Street into an eight-person HMO, despite strong debate about saturation, living standards and parking. Officers said …

“Speaker 21: This planning application is for change of use from office to create an eight bed, eight person HMO and reinstatement of an infilled windo…”

Town centre HMO approved

The former Ashford Post Office scheme was approved to be converted into a mixed-use building with a ground-floor commercial unit and a 33-bed HMO spread across four self-contained units, subject to ad…

“The proposal will deliver appropriate mixeduse development with a smaller commercial unit at ground level which provides a far more realistic opportun…”

Section 106 nearly agreed

The section 106 agreement had been cleaned up into engrossment form and was close to completion, with both parties seeking two weeks for signing. This is a key financial and legal obligation linked to…

“the one we did look at on on wednesday was fairly well there were quite a lot of it well it was very draft there were quite a lot of things that neede…”

No costs application by either side

Both parties confirmed they were not making an application for costs at the close of the inquiry. This removes a potential financial claim and keeps the proceedings focused on the planning merits.

“on the two matters raised by mr white um so i'm i'm not instructed to um make an application for cost so we are um at one on that um so neither party …”