A developer has submitted revised plans for a housing development in Beckley.
In an application validated by Rother District Council earlier this week, a developer is seeking outline planning permission to build six houses on land associated with Goosely Farm Oast, to the south of Main Street.
The application follows on from a previous attempt by the same applicant — Landstrom Group Ltd — to secure outline planning permission to build out the site.
This earlier application, which sought permission to build four houses, was refused planning permission in January, after council planning officers judged it would result in “unacceptable harm” to the character of the village and “degrade” the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
Since then, however, the site has been identified as a ‘potential development site’ within the draft Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (HELAA) — a document which would make up part of the evidence base for the council’s emerging Local Plan.
In describing the site, identified as BEC0021, the HELAA reads: “While Beckley is characterised by undeveloped gaps between areas of built form, this particular site is relatively enclosed in the landscape without the same long views northwards as other fields.
“Therefore, limited development across part of the site could potentially be accommodated without harming the rural character or setting of the village or the landscape of the High Weald AONB.
“This is subject to the retention of the strong roadside hedgerow and mature trees within the site, and the rural aspect enjoyed by users of the public footpath in the eastern part of the site.”
The HELAA goes on to say the previous refusal (which is currently subject to an appeal) did not ‘necessarily rule out’ future development of the site.
While the HELAA is not intended to “pre-empt or prejudice” council planning decisions, Landstorm says the document has informed its latest submission for the site.
In documents submitted as part of the application, a spokesman for the developer said: “The latest assessment of the site … has therefore acknowledged that up to six dwellings can come forward without harming the rural character of the village’s setting and the landscape of the High Weald AONB.
“Indeed, the assessment acknowledges that the site is enclosed within the landscape unlike other notable gaps within Beckley and is well related to the existing built form.
“In line with the council’s latest assessment of the site, this application therefore seeks to provide six dwellings to fully utilise the development potential of this sustainably located site to further help address the authority’s pressing housing needs.”
At time of publication the application has not generated any comments or objections from residents. The previous scheme had seen several objections raised, including those from Beckley Parish Council.
Among other concerns, objectors had argued the previous scheme would harm the AONB and put pressure on road infrastructure.
For further information see application reference RR/2024/1408/P on the Rother District Council website.
