From: Katie Miller
Sent: Thursday, June 1, 2023 10:49 AM
To: Licensing <licencing@sevenoaks.gov.uk>
Subject: Current mobile food van licensing application at land at Rayners Hill, Lenham (adjacent to a junction of the A20 and on the north side of the A20)

FAO Lorraine Neal

Dear Lorraine

I’ve been alerted to the above application by Lenham Parish Council.

This is just a reminder that Maidstone Borough Council is required under S85 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act

‘In exercising or performing any functions in relation to, or so as to affect, land in an area of outstanding natural beauty, a relevant authority shall have regard to the purpose of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the area of outstanding natural beauty’.

One way to demonstrate compliance is to assess proposals under the Kent Downs AONB Management Plan – which has been adopted by Maidstone Borough Council as its Plan for the Management of the Kent Downs AONB.

It is the view of the AONB Unit that taking into account the rural location of the proposed siting of the van, and it’s particularly sensitive siting at the base of the escarpment of the Kent Downs, the main target of the AONB designation, the proposal would neither conserve nor enhance the Kent Downs AONB and would be in conflict with the overall aims and principles of the Management Plan.

I hope this is of assistance to you.  I would be happy to discuss further if this would be helpful.

Katie Miller MRTPI

Planning Manager

Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Unit