Land Opposite Stockham Cottages, Stockham Lane, Swingfield, CT15 7HQ

1. 1.The proposed residential dwelling constitutes unsustainable development in the countryside due to its location outside any established built up settlement boundary, remote from local services and transport links, where future occupants would be reliant on the use of a private motor car. Consequently, the proposed development is contrary to policies SS1, SS3, CSD3 and CSD4 of the Core Strategy Review and the aims of the National Planning Policy Framework. These policies when taken together seek to provide new homes in accordance with the settlement hierarchy and reduce the need for travel by car unless they cannot be practicably located within an existing settlement and require a countryside location.
2. 2.The proposed dwelling, by virtue of its contemporary design and prominent, isolated position would fail to conserve, protect, or enhance the landscape and scenic beauty of the Kent Downs National Landscape, the Kent Downs Special Landscape Area, and the surrounding countryside. The development would result in significant harm to the local character and distinctiveness of these designated areas by introducing built form into an undeveloped rural plot, thereby extending sporadic residential development and increasing the urbanisation of this rural locality. The proposal is Folkestone & Hythe District Council Civic Centre, Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone, Kent CT20 2QY therefore contrary to Policy CSD4 of the Core Strategy, Policies HB1 and NE3 of the Places and Policies Local Plan and paragraph 189 of the National Planning Policy Framework.
3. 3.The application fails to provide sufficient information in the form of an arboricultural impact assessment and tree protection plan in accordance with BS5837:2012 to demonstrate that the above-ground structures and underlying root protection areas of trees at the application site can be protected from damage throughout development works. The proposal could result in the removal or loss of the existing vegetation, which would unacceptably degrade the rural character of the site, rural lane and designated National Landscape, contrary to policies HB1 and NE3 of the Places and Policies Local Plan, CSD4 of the Shepway Core strategy and paragraphs 186 and 189 of the National Planning Policy Framework.
4. 4.It has not been demonstrated that the proposed access would be safe for future users of the site in respect of the visibility splays that would be required, with inadequate information provided as to whether vehicles could leave the site in a forward gear, which together would give rise to an unacceptable impact upon highway safety for future users of the site. The proposal is therefore contrary to policy HB1 of the Places and Policies Local Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework paragraph 116.

From the council's decision notice.

Postcode

CT15 7HQ

Application type

Full Planning Permission

Scale / size

Small

Parish

Swingfield

Date validated

6 November 2025

Consultation expiry

19 December 2025

Consultation end

19 December 2025

Application expires

1 January 2026

Statutory period

56 days

Documents

28