A planning inspector has overturned a Rother District Council decision to refuse the conversion of a building near Staplecross.
In a decision published on Friday (January 5), a planning inspector has approved plans to convert a former light industrial building in Junction Road, known as Handsel Lodge, into a residential dwelling.
The proposals had been refused planning permission by Rother District Council in January last year, primarily because of issues associated with the site’s isolated location within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
In a report at the time, a Rother planning spokesman said: “The proposed dwelling would be situated in a countryside location that is outside any defined development boundary, an area within such the NPPF, Core Strategy and DaSA contain a strong presumption against residential development unless specific circumstances are met.
“The proposal would not meet any of the specific circumstances, moreover it has not been proven that the current use of the building would not be viable.”
They added: “The residential redevelopment of the site would result in a more intensive use and would have an urbanising affect on this rural location within the AONB.
“The building, by way of its existing materials, form and underlying structure would not be typical of a High Weald dwelling and would be likely to deteriorate further, causing detrimental harm to the character and appearance of the AONB.”
This view had been supported by Ewhurst Parish Council, which had opposed the development.
The planning inspector took a different view, however, concluding that the need for housing in the district outweighed any downsides of the scheme’s location.
The inspector said: “The proposal would make a small but still important contribution to the supply of housing to meet local needs.
“In the context of the shortfall and with regard to the [National Planning Policy] Framework, which includes objectives seeking to significantly boost the supply of housing, I afford significant weight to the benefit of additional housing delivery.”
They added: “The adverse impacts of the development would be modest, and in the context … of the Framework, I find that these adverse impacts would not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits when assessed against the policies in the Framework taken as a whole.
“The presumption in favour of sustainable development therefore applies and is a material consideration that weighs significantly in favour of the proposal.”
In light of this view, the planning inspector allowed the appeal, granting permission for the conversion to go ahead.
The conversion itself will not involve any significant changes to outward appearance of the building, although associated works are set to include landscaping to the front and rear gardens and the use of existing hard standing as a parking area.
