Policy information sourced from the Maidstone Borough Council Local Plan 2021-2038
LPRHOU8: Gypsy, Traveller, and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation.
1. Planning permission for gypsy and traveller and travelling showpeople accommodation will be granted if the site is allocated for that use and proposals comply with the site allocation criterion, or if the following criteria are met:
- a. Caravans to meet the definition of a caravan in the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act (1960)13 and the Caravan Sites Act (1968)14;
- b. Local services, in particular school, health and shopping facilities, are accessible from the site preferably on foot, by cycle or on public transport;
- c. The development would not result in significant harm to the landscape and rural character of the area. Impact on these aspects will be assessed with particular regard to:
- i. Local landscape character;
- ii. Cumulative effect - the landscape impact arising as a result of the development in combination with existing lawful caravans;
- iii. Existing landscape features - development is well screened by existing landscape features and there is a reasonable prospect of such features’ long-term retention;
- iv. Additional planting should be used to supplement existing landscaping but should not be the sole means of mitigating the impact of the development;
- v. Prominent boundary treatments should be screened/softened by existing and/or proposed landscaping.
- d. The site can be safely accessed to and from the highway by all vehicles using the site on a regular basis;
- e. The site is not located in an area at risk from flooding (zones 3a and 3b) based on the latest information from the Environment Agency or a specific Flood Risk Assessment which has been agreed by the Environment Agency; and
- f. The ecological impact of the development has been assessed through appropriate survey and a scheme for any necessary mitigation and enhancement measures confirmed.
2. In addition to the above criteria the following applies to travelling showpeople accommodation only:
- a. The site should be suitable for the storage and maintenance of show equipment and associated vehicles.
3. Applications for further ancillary development (including out buildings/dayrooms etc) on a gypsy and traveller and travelling showpeople site will be permitted if the following criteria are met:
- a. Criteria 1 (C) (i-iii) of this policy is met; and
- b. The scale and form of any development respects its setting.
For more information, please visit Maidstone’s Local Plan Maidstone Borough Council Local Plan 2021-2038