1. Land at Abbey Gate Farm as identified on the Policies Map, is allocated for the development of approximately 250 dwellings at an average density of 30 dwellings per hectare. The following conditions are considered appropriate to be met before development is permitted.

Design and Layout

2. Development of the site shall be informed by a landscape-led masterplan that is informed by both an LVIA and historic landscape assessment.

3. The layout of buildings and landscaping shall be designed to mitigate visual impacts upon the adjacent countryside areas with specific landscape buffers to mitigate impacts upon the wider area of Local Landscape Value.

4. With the exception of a possible site access road and associated infrastructure, there shall be no built development on that part of the site that comprises the Walnut Tree Meadows Nature Reserve.

5. There will be no built development east of Straw Mill Hill or south of the Public Right of Way.

6. The layout of streets and landscaping shall have regard to the site topography.

7. The layout and design of the site will need to ensure residential neighbour‘s amenity is protected.

8. Development should preserve and enhance the setting of adjacent heritage assets with specific regard to the setting of the Grade II* listed Abbey Gate Place and the Loose Conservation Area. In particular, appropriate buffers (to be informed by heritage and historic landscape assessments) shall be provided on the site’s southern and eastern boundaries.

9. To respond positively to and minimise harm to heritage assets, development must be designed to include a landscaped buffer to maintain a degree of rural outlook and reduce intervisibility with new residential development.

10. Development shall be informed by an assessment of the archaeological potential of the site and the measures needed to address the assessment’s findings secured.

11. The residential elements shall be defined by distinct character areas, incorporating a variety of typologies, materials, landscaping, and street scenes.

12. Net densities within residential parcels may vary but should average circa 30 dph. Higher density parcels will be subject to high quality design, residential amenity, and open space.

Landscape/Ecology

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. Development should be designed to preserve ancient woodland.

14. The Loose Valley LLV should be considered in setting out the layout of this site and appropriate landscape buffers provided.

15. A community woodland of no less than 5 hectares shall be provided.

16. In addition to meeting the open space requirements of policy LPRINF1, any further provision of open space, including areas for nature conservation shall be subject to a delivery and management plan, including ownership, maintenance and finance arrangements.

17. A hedgerow enhancement plan will be required for all boundaries.

Access/Highways and Transportation

18. Vehicular access shall be direct from Dean Street and/or adjacent residential development sites onto Dean Street. The precise route and construction method of the access route will minimise land-take within the Nature Reserve. Any route must avoid harmful division of the reserve that would undermine its function/coherence.

19. The main vehicular access shall take the form of a tree-lined/landscaped route that is designed to minimise its impact upon adjacent open Landscape/ Ecology areas.

20. No vehicular access, other than emergency access shall be proposed from Stockett Lane/ Straw Mill Hill.

21. The alignment and setting of PRoW should be retained and enhanced.

22. Measures to enhance pedestrian and cycle connectivity to the wider network shall be brought forwards, including where appropriate, connections to adjacent development sites and other off- site enhancements.

23. The development shall be accompanied by an assessment of opportunities to deliver enhancements to public transport services, including the potential to bring a bus service into the site and with increased regularity.

24. Development will be subject to appropriate improvement works to Dean Street and or any other off-site improvements works necessary to make the development acceptable.

Open Space

25. Open spaces shall incorporate no less than 2.0 hectares of accessible green amenity space incorporating areas of children’s play and community allotments.

26. Semi/natural open space of no less than 3.0 hectares shall be provided, the function of which will focus upon habitat creation and biodiversity net gain.

27. Open spaces shall be subject to a landscape management strategy to be agreed with the Council, this shall set out measures for the long-term management and maintenance of all public open spaces, semi/natural open space and ecology.

Contaminated Land

28. The site is adjacent to a former landfill site and the site should be made safe prior to any development commencing.

29. The surface water drainage strategy shall demonstrate that regard has been had to potential contamination risks.

30. Ground piling shall not take place unless agreed by the Environment Agency.

Utilities Infrastructure

31. The applicant 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.

32. 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