- Application Information
- Documents
- Application updates
- Written representations
CROWN/2025/0000002 Application information
About this application
- Type of application
- Planning permission
- Local planning authority
- Ashford LPA
- Applicant name
- Department for Transport DfT, Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs Defra and His Majesty’s Revenues and Customs HMRC
- Site address
- Sevington Inland Border Facility, Mersham, Ashford, TN25 6GE
- Description of the proposed development
- Buildings, Goods Vehicle parking spaces, entry lanes, refrigerated semi-trailers, staff car parking spaces, access, site infrastructure, utilities, hardstanding, landscaping and ancillary facilities and associated works; and ongoing use of the site for an Inland Border Facility and Border Control Post, operating 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
- Stage
- Inquiry
- Application form
-
To view the full application, go to the Documents section.
Important dates
- Application accepted date
- 28 July 2025
- Representation period
- 28 July 2025 at 12:00am to 12 September 2025 at 11:59pm
Procedure details
- Procedure type
- Inquiry
- Inquiry statements date
- 24 November 2025
- Inquiry date
- 2 December 2025
- Inquiry venue
- Council Chamber, International House, Dover Place, Ashford, Kent TN23 1HU
- Inquiry proofs of evidence date
- 24 November 2025
Have your say
The representations period for this application has now ended.
You can view the written representations here.
Application stage
This application is at the inquiry stage.
Pre-application
Completed
The Crown Casework Team at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) handles the pre-application process for Crown Development applications. This team is responsible for early engagement with prospective applicants, which includes giving advice on suitable planning routes through the Crown Development process.
MHCLG can also give general pre-application planning guidance to make sure applications cover everything needed for submission. Pre-application engagement may also include engagement with:
- the local planning authority
- statutory and non-statutory consultees
- local communities
- other government departments and agencies whose interests may be affected by the proposal
Accepted
Completed
The Planning Inspectorate reviews the application to make sure is complete. This includes checking that all required documents have been submitted following national requirements.
Where applicable, it also checks that the documents listed in the local planning authority’s local validation checklist are included.
The Planning Inspectorate also checks that the correct planning fee has been paid. The fee is calculated in line with the Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications, Deemed Applications, Requests and Site Visits) (England) Regulations 2012 (as amended).
The Secretary of State assesses whether the application is of national importance.
If the Planning Inspectorate decides that the application is complete and the Secretary of State considers the application to be of national importance, the application will be accepted.
Consultation
Completed
The Planning Inspectorate:
- publishes the application documents on a dedicated web page
- carries out any required consultations
- may place a press notice
The relevant local planning authority displays a site notice and notifies any adjoining owner or occupier if needed.
Statutory consultees and other interested parties can send written representations to the Planning Inspectorate.
Written representations must be sent no less than 21 days from the date the application is accepted. Written representations submitted after this date may not be considered.
Procedure choice
Completed
The procedure is the method the Planning Inspectorate will use to decide the application.
The Planning Inspectorate will decide at the end of the consultation period how the application should continue. The procedures are:
- written representations
- hearing
- inquiry
The Planning Inspectorate tells the applicant, local planning authority and anyone who submitted a written representation during the consultation period which procedure the application will follow. The Planning Inspectorate will keep the procedure choice, including combined procedures, under review. Subject to any notification and procedural requirement, the procedure may be changed at any point before the decision is issued.
Inquiry
In progress
An inquiry is the most formal of procedures. Although it is not a court of law, the proceedings are similar. An inquiry is open to the public and provides for the investigation into, and formal testing of evidence, usually through cross-examination of expert witnesses and other witnesses. Parties may be formally represented by advocates.
The applicant, local planning authority and any statutory parties can submit a statement of case. This must be submitted within 5 weeks of the date they are notified of the inquiry.
The inspector (or panel of inspectors), under rule 13(3) of the 2025 Hearings and Inquiries rules, may require any person who has requested to appear at the inquiry to also submit a statement of case. This must be submitted within 4 weeks of our writing to them.
Proof of evidence must be submitted no later than 4 weeks before the inquiry. If the proof of evidence exceeds 1,500 words, it should be submitted with a summary.
A case management conference may be held before the inquiry. The Planning Inspectorate notifies anyone entitled to attend the inquiry the details of the case management conference and provides an agenda beforehand.
Final decision
Not started
After the inquiry, hearing or site visit (for written representations), the inspector uses the evidence to write their decision.
The formal decision notice includes a statement explaining the reasons for the decision.
If the application is approved, the decision will also list any necessary conditions.
If the application is recovered, the inspector will make a recommendation to the Secretary of State rather than issue a decision. The Secretary of State will consider the recommendation and issue a decision.
Post decision
Not started
Where permission has been granted for a Crown Development application, the local planning authority is responsible for monitoring its implementation.
The local planning authority must make sure the development follows the approved plans and planning conditions.
To challenge a decision on a Crown Development application, an application must be made to the High Court. This application must be made within 6 weeks beginning with the date after the day the decision is issued.
Get more information about Crown Development applications.
Contact Us
Telephone
If you have a representation reference number, have it with you when you call.
Telephone: 0303 444 5000
Open Monday to Friday: 9am to 4pm.
Closed on weekends and bank holidays.
crownapplications@planninginspectorate.gov.uk
When writing an email, quote the application reference in the subject line.
We aim to respond within 10 working days.
Alternative formats
Call or email to ask for project documents in alternative formats such as PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille.