"their idea of heritage preservation was based on aesthetics (i.e. the garage site, muddy farms!?) not on actual heritage preservation."

That's precisely the impression they gave in their submission.
And presumably the Kennet planning committee were of a similar mind (or if they had other thoughts they certainly weren't the heritage preservation ones embodied in the Management Plan.)

So the ticklish problem you have to confront is whether those criteria ought to be the governing ones - or perhaps more pertinently ought it to be those two bodies or those who are committed to the Management Plan who have the final say? I know you don't like dictatorship but on the other hand isn't the cost of democracy sometimes a bit too high? ;)

I can send you a copy of my findings when I have finished writing them if you like?

Yes please! Click on my name for my address. Thanks very much.