An appeal has been refused for a warehouse over 10,000 square metres due to the negative visual impact on a nearby Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (now National Landscape).
The application was refused in June 2023 when Wates Developments applied for permission for up to 10,788 square metres of B8 warehouse space, with offices and HGV parking.
The development would have been positioned only 520 metres from the boundary of the Kent Downs National Landscape.
When considering the case, the main issues were:
Planning inspector D McCreery decided that "in conclusion on this main issue, the proposal would result in harmful effects on the character and appearance of the area, including the setting of the AONB".
On the point of whether the application is in line with local and national policy it was outlined that the "proposal does not accord with local and national policy when regard is paid to the location of economic development".
Although there was a need for large warehouse spaces, there was an "absence of persuasive quantification of need and specific attribution to Maidstone does not allow me to conclude categorically that unmet need should be met by the borough."
The appeal was dismissed.
