Three Dwellings Approved on Appeal at Gravesham Borough Council

In 2022, I achieved a successful planning appeal against Gravesham Borough Council, securing permission to demolish the existing dwelling in Gravesend and erect three terraced dwellings — two three-bedroom and one two-bedroom — with new vehicle crossovers.

Gravesham Borough Council had refused the application, raising concerns about the effect on the character and appearance of the surrounding area, highway safety and biodiversity.

The site occupies a prominent corner plot at the junction and opposite an open playing fields.

The Planning Issue

On character and appearance, I demonstrated that the surrounding area is mixed, comprising Victorian houses, 1980s detached dwellings, flatted development and a four-storey block.

The proposed terrace would extend the building line of the existing road, match the scale of adjacent properties, and would not appear out of place within this varied context.

An area of open space was retained at the corner to avoid a cramped appearance.

On highway safety, revised plans repositioned the vehicle crossing more than 10 metres from the road junction, satisfying the County Council's guidance. A condition was also proposed restricting the height of planting near the junction to maintain visibility.

Biodiversity was addressed through proposed soft landscaping, and the Inspector agreed there would be no net biodiversity loss.

With Gravesham Borough Council unable to demonstrate a five-year housing land supply, and the site in a sustainable urban location, the appeal was allowed.

Planning Appeal Advice

If you have a development project and you have received a planning refusal, contact me for practical advice on whether an appeal is the right option and how to proceed.

Andrew Ransome MRTPI Email: andrew@adpltd.co.uk | Tel: 01206 242070

About me

Andrew Ransome is the planning director at ADP and is a chartered member of the RTPI, with over 22 years of town planning experience.

Andrew has extensive experience offering strategic planning solutions to challenging projects in both rural and urban settings. Follow him on Linkedin.

Planning Appeal Successes

Planning Appeal Information