A divisive planning application for a new Traveller and Gypsy site has been refused after officers deemed it “inappropriate”.
The proposal had been submitted to Gravesham Borough Council (GBC) from a Mr Shilling and was the latest step in an ongoing planning enforcement row for the farmland off White Post Lane, Sole Street, near Gravesend.
Mr Shilling had requested to put a mobile home, touring caravan and day room on the land, which is within the Metropolitan Green Belt.
In the submitted planning statement, it was noted that the development would “not be inappropriate” in the area and that there was “no reason” to refuse it.
However, GBC officers disagreed and refused the application on Wednesday (February 26).
In their decision report, it was stated: “The proposed mobile home, touring caravan, dayroom and hardstanding will be located within the Metropolitan Green Belt where development is considered inappropriate.
“The proposal will introduce a built development, hard surfacing and mobile structures onto a previously undeveloped site which will harm the openness of the Green Belt and result in encroachment of built development into the countryside.
“The proposal introduces an alien feature into the landscape that neither conserves or reinforces the agricultural land use. It will therefore detract from the character and appearance of the landscape.”
It also stated the plans would impact biodiverity and no compensatory measures to offset the habitat loss, like planting or landscaping, had been included.
More than 330 objections were initially lodged against the application, many criticising the fact work had already started on the site.
People reported seeing diggers on the land last month despite the then-undecided planning application and a High Court injunction preventing it from being used for the siting of caravans or mobile homes.
The council has since served notices on the occupiers of the site ordering them to cease all work immediately.
The government’s Planning Inspectorate has also upheld an enforcement notice – which was issued by the local authority in August 2023 and appealed by the land owner – to clear the area.
A statement from GBC issued this week said: “Following the refusal of the planning application the council has reminded all landowners and occupiers of the requirements of the injunction and enforcement notice and has set out how those requirements should be met.
“Whilst not seeking to prejudice any future legal steps that may need to be taken, the council would like to make it clear that in line with the council’s Planning Enforcement Strategy and Development Plan, we will continue to proactively deal with breaches of planning control and seek appropriate remedies.”
In December, a mobile home was also brought onto the land before permission was granted causing damage to trees and hedgerows as it was driven along the country lane.
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Whitepost Farm has been subject to a long planning history with previous applications refused and subsequent appeals dismissed.
