1. Land adjacent to Keilen Manor, Harrietsham as identified on the Policies Map, is allocated for the development of approximately 37 dwellings. The following conditions are considered appropriate in order for the development to be acceptable.

Design and Layout

2. The development shall provide three distinct character areas comprising, circa; 0.7 hectares of woodland, 0.4 hectares of ecology enhancement/open space, a development area of circa 1.4 hectares.

3. Design and layout of the development will need to ensure neighbouring residential amenity is protected.

4. Development proposals will be of a high standard of design incorporating the use of vernacular materials.

5. Development proposals shall incorporate substantial areas of internal landscaping, including street planting, within the site to provide an appropriate landscape framework for the site to protect the setting of the Kent Downs National Landscape.

6. The northern and eastern sections of the development area will be built at a lower density and incorporate landscaping to respect the existing open character of the countryside beyond.

7. The development will be set back from Marley Road behind retained open space and landscape buffers.

8. Development shall also be set back from the A20 in order to retain the semi-rural character of the frontage. Any loss of existing hedgerow required for access purposes shall be minimised through design and compensated by replanted hedgerow behind the visibility splay.

9. The development will provide ecological mitigation/enhancement areas and landscaped buffers along all boundaries with the retained woodland/ecological areas to ensure appropriate habitat connectivity with the retained woodland, ecology area and existing trees and hedgerows beyond the site boundaries.

10. Site design and layout shall be informed by a local historic impact assessment.

Landscape/Ecology

11. The development shall retain the circa 0.7 hectares of existing woodland on the western part of the site, which shall be subject to a woodland and biodiversity enhancement/management plan.

12. Provision of circa 0.4 hectares of retained open space to provide new habitat and amenity space on the northern part of the site.

13. A phase 1 habitat survey will be required, which may as a result require on and/or-off site mitigation for the existing habitat of local fauna/ flora.

14. Existing trees and hedgerow of amenity or ecological value will need to be retained as part of any development.

15. The development proposals are designed to take into account the results of a landscape and visual impact assessment undertaken in accordance with the principles of guidance in place at the time of the submission of an application.

16. The development proposals shall be designed to take into account the results of a detailed arboricultural survey, tree constraints plan and tree retention/protection plans, including to inform the site development capacity.

Access, Highways, and Transportation

17. The principal vehicular access shall be to the A20 with provision of a suitable access to the primary road network that meet standards and safety provisions. Junction modelling will be required to demonstrate that a safe, suitable junction could be created.

18. Improved access to both east and westerly bus services with enhanced bus stops and safe pedestrian access, including enhanced pedestrian crossing of the A20.

19. A pedestrian and cycle route will be provided through the site connecting Marley Road with the A20.

20. Safe pedestrian access along Marley Road should be established.

Open Space

21. In addition to the provision of approximately 0.7 hectares of woodland and the approximately 0.4 hectares norther area of amenity/ecology, the development area shall incorporate 0.1 hectares of accessible amenity green/play space, together with additional on/off site provisions and/or contributions towards off-site provision/improvements as may be required to meet policies LPRSP13 and LPRINF1.

Utilities Infrastructure

22. Connections to the nearest points of the network (with adequate capacity) will be required for all utilities prior to the occupation of the development.

For more information, please visit Maidstone’s Local Plan Maidstone Borough Council Local Plan 2021-2038