Removal of HGVs from green belt site upheld

A government planning inspector has upheld the decision of a Kent council which demanded that a former nursery stop being used for commercial purposes.

Gravesham Borough Council issued an enforcement notice last December, ordering a drainage company to cease using the site on Walnut Hill Road, Istead Rise, as a base.

The company was asked to remove all HGV tanker lorries from the land, which is a green belt site.

An appeal against the notice was unsuccessful and the planning inspector refused to grant planning permission for a change of its use.

The council issued the enforcement notice following the change of use of Walnut Hill Nursery from agricultural to mixed commercial, business and services without planning permission.

Councillor Shane Mochrie-Cox, cabinet member for planning and business development, said the use of green belt site as a base for HGVs was causing "serious concerns for local residents".

He added: "To us, the detrimental impact of the unapproved change of use was not something the council could accept and which we could not let go unchallenged."

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