1. Land north of Sutton Road (west of Rumwood Court) as identified on the Policies Map, is allocated for the development of approximately 75 units. The following conditions are considered appropriate to be met before development is permitted.

Design and Layout

2. The layout of new housing shall respect the historical significance of the land, namely former landscaped grounds to Rumwood Court.

3. The layout and form of development shall be informed by a heritage impact assessment that has regard to the significance of both built heritage assets and potential archaeological significance.

4. The Development shall secure a low-density landscape-led parkland character.

5. The site contains a large number of TPO trees, which should be located within areas of public realm rather than private gardens.

6. Design of the site will need to ensure neighbouring residential amenity is protected.

7. Development shall demonstrate that the layout, scale, and form of development has regard to the need to preserve and enhance the setting of the grade II listed Rumwood Court, including through a LVIA.

8. To protect the open character of the adjacent countryside and to avoid coalescence, built development will be limited to the areas shown on the accompanying key diagram. Within this area, the additional policy requirements must still be met.

Landscape/Ecology

9. 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.

10. Existing tree/hedgerow margins should be retained/enhanced in order to provide the opportunity for biodiversity habitat creation/enhancement. Public access to such areas would normally be limited.

11. Development will be subject to a site-wide strategy to incorporate an appropriate level of biodiversity net gain in accordance with national and local policy.

12. The development shall be subject to a landscape management plan to secure the long-term management of all TPO trees and other areas of landscape.

Access/Highways and Transportation

13. Provision of suitable vehicular access via either Sutton Road or adjacent development at Bicknor Park that meets appropriate standards and safety provisions.

14. There should be a presumption that the development will not rely upon vehicular access to Honey Lane.

15. The layout should allow for the potential for the extension of bus connectivity via the adjacent Bicknor Park site.

16. The site shall secure good quality pedestrian/ cycle permeability.

17. Development will be subject to the prior agreement with the council and KCC regarding any requirements for off-site network improvements or mitigation, including potential cumulative impacts.

Open Space

18. Provision of new open space on/off-site provisions in accordance with policies LPRSP13 and LPRINF1.

Utilities Infrastructure

19. Connections to the nearest points of the network (with adequate capacity) will be required for all utilities.

20. The developer should ensure that appropriate consultation with the underground utilities operator take place.

21. There is limited capacity on the sewerage network at the practical point of connection and so the occupation will be phased to align with the delivery of sewerage infrastructure.

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