In a decision issued last Wednesday (November 22nd), a planning inspector has dismissed an appeal connected with plans to build two houses on a field adjacent to a property known as Two Hoots, in Chapel Lane.
Wealden District Council had initially refused planning permission for the outline scheme in January, citing concerns about its “remote” location and potential harm to the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
In a report at the time, planning officers said: “The proposed development by reason of [its] location, layout and scale together with related domestic activity and paraphernalia would be prominent, urbanising and contribute to the consolidation of the sparse and sporadic pattern of development in this part of the High Weald AONB, undermining its rural and relatively verdant character.
“The proposed landscaping proposed to mitigate the impact cannot be secured in perpetuity and would not overcome the harm caused and therefore the development would be contrary to [planning policy].”
In their appeal statement, the applicant argued this decision was incorrect, as the council’s unmet housing targets meant the scheme should have benefitted from the ‘presumption in favour of sustainable development’ set out in national planning policy.
They also argued that any harm to the AONB could be properly mitigated through landscaping on the site.
Notably, the scheme had been a revised version of a previously refused proposal to build out the site. This earlier proposal had been for three houses.
Ultimately, however, the planning inspector shared the council’s concerns about the scheme.
In their decision notice, the planning inspector said: “It is not in dispute that the Council cannot currently demonstrate a five-year supply of deliverable sites for housing. Indeed, the current shortfall is significant, and I have no evidence before me to suggest that this position is likely to improve in the short-term.”
They added: “[But] the support for the principle of development within the framework is countered by the importance it places on the provision of development that preserves character and appearance and promotes the use of sustainable transport.
“In this instance, the harm would be significant and enduring, and in particular, the harm to the scenic beauty of the AONB is a matter that I must afford great weight to.”
