Plans for new home in AONB given consent


Permission has been granted to replace vacant farm buildings with a three bedroom house on farmland in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) overlooking the Pilgrims’ Way in Brabourne.

Ashford Borough Councillors voted by eight to one to approve the application for Hillside Lime Works after recognising that the new home would not harm the community, nor set a precedent, but would improve the visual impact on the area by demolishing the existing redundant buildings, adjacent to a former lime quarry.

Although planning officers recommended that the application be refused, the proposals did have the support of the local ward councillor and Parish Council, and was approved by the Planning Committee.

Ashford-based Hobbs Parker Property Consultants, which represented the applicant, said: “The Borough Councillors acknowledged the support of the Parish Council. Visiting the site gave them the opportunity to weigh up the impact of a new home against the potential of new commercial development on the site, or leaving buildings to decay.

“By working closely with a local firm of architects it was possible to keep to the same footprint as the existing buildings, retain the grazing in front and views of green fields, while at the same time keeping the domestic activity largely hidden from view.”

A planning appeal in early 2012 by another applicant had previously rejected a proposal for a new home on the site. However, Hobbs Parker successfully showed that the later design had taken into consideration the Planning Inspector’s concerns.

Work can now get under way on the construction of a new single storey house, which will provide three double bedrooms, one with an en-suite plus a family bathroom, a living room, kitchen-diner and utility room, with a glazed entrance hall.  With a large private garden, this home will have views over the surrounding countryside from its elevated position.

The applicant was advised by Canterbury-based Alan Foster Architects.

 

Landowners interested in assessing the opportunities for development projects, requiring planning advise, should contact Hobbs Parker Property Consultants on 01233 506201.

  • This article was first published in the Autumn 2016 edition of our quarterly newsletter Outlook
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Ladies in waiting, early winter sunshine

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A development opportunity half done!

By Bill Lightfoot

Congratulations, you did it. Your local authority
 has granted you planning permission for development. It’s in your hand, signed. The corks are popping! Hold on just a minute, because as well
 as you’ve done so far, […]

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19 New Development Sites for Ashford

By Steve Davies

The draft local plan was put out to consultation last year. It has been reviewed by the Council and the latest version of the plan is due to be put to the Council’s cabinet with […]

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The Best Restaurants in Kent and East Sussex

By Sally Randall

The next best thing to eating good food, may be talking about it. Certainly asking in the Hobbs Parker offices about people’s favourite restaurants leads to a mouth-watering conversation about how spoilt for choice we […]

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Listed Buildings Advice

The market for period property is booming and the older the house or cottage, the more likely it is to be listed. By listing a property, it celebrates a building’s special architectural and historic features […]

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Outlook Summer 2017

By Sam Snart

In this edition: We look at how owners of brownfield sites looking to bring forward housing-led development could be given permission in principle (PiP) after new planning legislation came into force on 15 April, according […]

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The best pubs in and around Ashford and Tenterden

By Sally Randall

When I was young going to the pub generally meant me and my siblings sitting in the beer garden squabbling over a pack of Ready Salted whilst my parents nipped in for a pint and […]

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Ryelands in the mist at Marsh Green

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Cattle at pasture

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Romney ewe with quads

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Romney ewe with lambs

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Sussex heifer in a field

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Sussex Cattle in a barn

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Planning to succeed

By Steve Davies

As a result, development can be difficult, especially for housebuilders, as many local communities fail to recognise the need
to increase the demand of the growing population. The Government, which is publicly committed to delivering a […]

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Could the latest business rates revaluation hit your pocket?

By Sam Snart

Farm buildings and agricultural land will continue to be exempt from business rates as long as they are being used for agriculture. However, many farmers may have diversified since the last revaluation in 2010 and […]

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Is now the right time to diversify?

By Sam Snart

As well as developing your business plan and securing the necessary finance, many face the challenge of avoiding lengthy and costly planning applications, especially with many farms being in the AoNB or close to SSSIs […]

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Favourable exchange rate brings timely relief to farmers

By Matthew Sawdon

Recent forecasts for net farm income for all farm types for the year to March 2016 are down by 25 per cent, equivalent to an average of £13,000. The 2016 exchange rate for this year’s […]

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Will your second home also be your pension?

By Simon Godfrey

Recent research suggests that the level of income people aspire to retire on each year has increased from £35,000 to £42,000 yet this would require a pension pot of more than £1 million. Evidence shows […]

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Will solar panels increase the value of my home?

By Alex Davies

As the weather gets colder and darker, and the heating and lights stay on longer, there’s one thing I can predict with even more certainty than the Queen’s Speech broadcasting on Christmas Day. The arrival […]

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Is it time to loosen the Green Belt?

By Sam Snart

With demand for housing continuing at an unprecedented rate, despite the possible implications of Brexit, some people are asking: Is it time to review the Green Belt and its role and current size? However, Sajid […]

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Plans for new home in AONB given consent

Permission has been granted to replace vacant farm buildings with a three bedroom house on farmland in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) overlooking the Pilgrims’ Way in Brabourne. Ashford Borough Councillors voted by […]

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Renewable Energy – is it beginning to run on empty?

By Jon Rimmer

Last year didn’t end brightly, and despite what’s happening in other countries, 2016 could see the beginning of the dark ages for renewable energy projects in the UK. As if the changes in feed-in tariffs […]

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Permitted Development Rights for rural buildings

The current legislation offers an excellent opportunity to farmers and landowners to quickly and cost-effectively secure planning permission for new dwellings in rural areas. It applies to buildings up to 450m2 in area and/or three […]

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Agricultural Grant Scheme Launched for Hedgerows and Boundaries

By Matthew Sawdon

The deadline for applications is 30 April. Benefits may be obtained for capital items such as hedge planting, laying and coppicing, earth bank restoration stone-faced bank repair and restoration, and stone wall restoration. A woodland […]

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Our recommended golf courses in Kent and East Sussex

By Roger Lightfoot

As a golfing destination, Kent and East Sussex has a huge amount going for it. We’re blessed with a better than average climate (compared with other parts of the UK) which means we enjoy more […]

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How to gain planning permission -- a view from both sides of the fence

By Steve Davies

  Having joined Hobbs Parker Property Consultants six months ago, with nearly 30 years’ planning experience gained at Canterbury City Council and local authorities, Steve Davies gives an insight into the world on both sides […]

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What does Brexit mean for the whole planning system?

By Jon Rimmer

It’s been impossible to get away from the issue of the European Union referendum and the vote to leave. However, it’s important to consider what it might mean for the whole planning environment and how […]

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The best beaches in Kent and East Sussex

By Sally Randall

We explore the best beaches in Kent and East Sussex — for your children, dogs and foodie friends — as we work our way round the South East’s beautiful coastline. It’s a funny thing that […]

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Why do kitchens sell houses?

By Alex Davies

The party is in the kitchen! When we have a party at our house my wife and I spend hours making our living room look nice and then most of the evening trying to get […]

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Is selling some land an option in 2016?

By Sam Snart

There appears to be very little confidence of an improvement in outlook for the agricultural sector in the short term. So, is selling an option for some in 2016? The controversial option is to sell
 […]

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New team rising to challenge

By Roger Lightfoot

New team rising to challenge To ensure Hobbs Parker Property Consultants respond to the need for the best possible property, land, planning and development advice, we have made a number of changes to our senior […]

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