A planning inspector rejected proposals to convert Medvale House on Mote Road, Maidstone into 87 apartments, citing inadequate outdoor amenity space and insufficient fire safety evidence.

A planning inspector has dismissed an appeal against Maidstone Borough Council’s refusal of permission to convert Medvale House, Mote Road, Maidstone into 87 residential apartments, finding that concerns over residents’ living conditions and fire safety outweighed the scheme’s housing benefits.

Reasons for dismissal

The inspector found that the proposed development — which would have provided 61 one-bedroom, 19 two-bedroom and seven three-bedroom units in the former office building — lacked adequate private outdoor amenity space for residents and provided insufficient communal amenity provision. The inspector concluded this would result in poor living conditions and conflict with local planning policies.

On fire safety, the inspector found the submitted information inadequate. Particular concern was raised about the scheme’s reliance on a third-party escape stair, for which the inspector said there was insufficient evidence that it provided a safe and secure evacuation route.

Housing need acknowledged but outweighed

The inspector acknowledged that the scheme would have delivered 87 homes in an area with housing need, but concluded that these benefits were outweighed by the significant concerns over residential amenity and fire safety. The application, reference 25/500559/FULL, had been decided by council officers under delegated powers. The inspector’s decision was reported to Maidstone’s Planning Committee on 17 September 2026.

Sources

Medvale House, Mote Road, Maidstone – Danny P Robinson (geograph.org.uk), CC BY-SA 2.0