Our decision to refuse permission to change the use of land at White Post Lane, Cobham, to allow eight mobile homes to be stationed on it has been supported by the Government.
This is following an unsuccessful appeal to the Planning Inspectorate from the applicant.
The land at the centre of the appeal is part of a larger parcel of land which is the subject of an enforcement notice from the council in respect of the stationing of mobile homes for residential use and associated touring caravans, which was also upheld following appeal in February 2025.
The site is also within an area covered by a court injunction which prohibits the use of land for the siting of caravans and mobile homes and use as a gypsy or traveller site.
The appeal by the applicant against the council’s decision to refuse permission for the stationing of eight mobile homes for gypsy and traveller use, the erection of associated day rooms, soft landscaping and laying of hardstanding was heard in May and included a site visit by the planning inspector.
Outlining their findings, the planning inspector explained that the proposal would be an inappropriate development in the Green Belt, and there were no special circumstances to overlook that.
The inspector also highlighted safety concerns over the access to the site, saying: “The very restricted visibility at the access presents a significant risk of conflict between vehicles leaving the site and other users travelling along White Post Lane where the fairly narrow width of the passable highway is further likely to result in traffic from both directions passing by close to the access and reducing opportunities for evasive manoeuvres, exacerbating potential for conflict.”
Welcoming the appeal decision, Cllr Shane Mochrie-Cox, Gravesham Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning and Business Development, said: “This confirms the reasons we found for refusing this development on this sensitive Green Belt site.
“It also adds strength to our position in enforcing other matters on this same site.
“We understand and share the frustration of local people at the time it takes to see positive results from such action, but we are bound by planning law.
“If action against such sites is to be successful, we have to follow the letter of that law. Not to do so runs the risk of decisions going against us and extending even further the time taken to come to the desired outcome.
“This is a complex site in terms of enforcement and following the dismissal of this appeal we are exploring all further options open to us.
“I hope this sends a clear message to any that feel that planning law does not and should not apply to them that we will defend our policies and decision making on planning which we do on behalf of local residents and use our planning enforcement powers against those that seek to disregard or ignore planning law in Gravesham.
“I encourage all those that wish to make any alterations to any site be it for major or minor planning changes to engage with the council via our pre-application scheme and apply for planning permission formally before engaging in any works and only start when and if planning permission is granted.”