1. Land at Ashford Road, Lenham as identified on the Policies Map, is allocated for the development of approximately 2,500m2 of employment floorspace (E(g), B2 and B8 uses). The following conditions are considered appropriate to be met before development is permitted.

Design and Layout

2. Design, scale bulk and massing shall reflect the edge of settlement location.

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

4. Development proposals shall incorporate substantial areas of internal landscaping within the site – including landscaping on an east-west axis through the central part of the–site - to provide an appropriate landscape framework for the site to protect the setting of the Kent Downs National Landscape.

5. An undeveloped section of land will be retained and landscaped to protect the amenity and privacy of existing neighbouring residents.

6. The northern and eastern sections of the site will be built at a lower density to reflect the existing open character of the countryside beyond.

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

8. The materials palette, including colour choice, should minimise impacts on views from the National Landscape.

Landscape/Ecology

9. Existing tree/hedgerow margins should be retained/enhanced in order to provide the opportunity for biodiversity habitat creation/enhancement. Such areas shall be protected from the adverse impacts of any operational activities.

10. Development will be subject to the incorporation of an appropriate level of biodiversity net gain in accordance with national and local policy.

Access, Highways, and Transportation

11. The development shall be subject to the provision of suitable access to the highway.

12. Development shall enable the provision of a bus stop on the existing 10x route adjacent to the site (with suitable pedestrian infrastructure).

Utilities Infrastructure

13. The applicant is to demonstrate that adequate connections to the nearest points of the network are achievable and that adequate capacity exists/can be created for all utilities.

14. Where there may be limited capacity in the utility network, the occupation of the development will be phased to align with the delivery of infrastructure.

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