Controversial plans for a housing development near Wadhurst have been turned down at appeal.
In a decision notice published last week, a planning inspector has dismissed an appeal connected with plans to build up to 15 new homes to the south of Cousley Wood Road in Sparrows Green.
The developer’s original application had been refused planning permission by Wealden District Council in June, mainly due to the development’s rural location and impact on the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
In a report at the time, a Wealden planning spokesman said: “It is not disputed that the application site has the capacity to accommodate the amount of dwellings proposed, although the council considers that the harm caused by the principle of such development in such a highly sensitive landscape area … would be significantly detrimental in environmental terms.
“In this respect, it is concluded that whilst the economic and social benefits of providing new homes … are significant, developing the site on this prominent ridge top location of high landscape value would be contrary to Policy EN6 of the Wealden Local Plan 1998, which seeks to resist such development in visually exposed locations and areas of unspoilt and remote character.”
Similar concerns had been raised by the scheme’s objectors, who had collectively submitted more than 400 individual letters of objection.
The developer disputed this view, arguing that any harm to the appearance of the area would be limited and outweighed by the benefits of additional homes (especially given the council’s persistent lack of a five-year supply of housing land).
Ultimately, however, the inspector shared the council’s concerns about the site’s location and detrimental impact on the character of the area. They also highlighted concerns about the impact of the proposals on Little Primmers, a grade II listed building to the east of the site.
In their decision notice, the inspector said: “The scheme would cause significant harm to the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the character of the countryside and would harm the setting of a listed building.
“I have considered all the other matters raised but they do not alter the balance of my conclusions. For the reasons given above I dismiss the appeal.”
For further information on the plans see application reference WD/2022/1610/MAO on the Wealden District Council website.
