4 Dwellings in the Countryside

Following extensive pre-application consultation with Officers, planning permission was granted by Maidstone Borough Council for the conversion of existing redundant former agricultural buildings at Street Farm,Boxley to four dwellings.

The buildings were formerly part of an historic Estate and are shown on the 1871 OS Map. The farm itself is recorded from the 16th Century onwards and the proposals therefore sought to preserve the buildings as an important historic local asset. A PPS5 heritage statement accompanied the application, assessing the heritage value ofthe site, nearby listed buildings and the adjacent Conservation Area, establishing that the proposals will secure beneficial heritage impacts in all respects.

The conversion scheme developed by DHA Urban Design received particular praise by Members at Committee for thesensitive and high quality design proposed. This design will also achieve the BREEAM Ecohomes “Very Good” standard, and in accordance with an ecological study of the site, included the provision of bat boxes to enhance biodiversity. This work was undertaken by DHA Environment.

Submission of the application followed the production of aviability appraisal of the buildings. This found that alternative uses such asrural business units, holiday lets, mixed use developments and live work units are not economically viable in this location. As such, the application was recommended for approval by Officers and approved by Members on the basis thatthe residential conversion proposed offered the only viable means of securing an active use for these historic buildings and securing the improvements to the landscape and nearby Conservation Area that would arise.