Policy information sourced from Tonbridge and Malling Managing Development and the Environment Development Plan Document

DC5 Tourism and Leisure in Rural Areas

Within the rural areas, proposals for new tourism and leisure facilities will be permitted subject to all of the following criteria being met:

  • proposals, either individually or cumulati do not detract from the characterof the area in which they are located as defined in the Character Area Appraisals SPD;
  • it is appropriately located and existing buildings are re-used where possible in accordance with Policy DC1;
  • it will support the local economy;
  • the amount of any associated new built development is directly related to the proposed use and the minimum required to serve that use;
  • the proposal, either individually or cumulatively with other proposals in the vicinity, avoids the irreversible loss of the best and most versatile agricultural land and suitable measures are adopted to maintain the agricultural potential of the land or generally make the best use of damaged land;
  • the proposal does not result in the fragmentation and/or severance of an agricultural land holding creating a non-viable agricultural unit;
  • full account is taken of any biodiversity interest in accordance with Policy NE3;
  • the proposal is adequately served by the highway network and avoids off-site highway improvements that would have an unacceptable impact on the character of rural lanes (see Policy DC6) and the countryside;
  • there is no hazard to road safety;
  • suitable provision is made for the protection and, where practicable, the enhancement of the existing rights of way network which may be affected by the proposals, with full regard to the safety of users; and
  • there is no unacceptable adverse impact arising from lighting, traffic generation, activity at unsocial hours or noise.

Proposals in the Green Belt will be considered in light of PPG2.

For more information please see the Plan Document