Planning appeal decision
Sharps Hill Farm Queen Street, Sandhurst, Cranbrook, TN18 5HR
Planning appeal 3271259 at Sharps Hill Farm Queen Street, Sandhurst, Cranbrook, TN18 5HR (Tunbridge Wells Borough Council) was dismissed on 5 November 2021 by Inspector Miles H, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area with particular respect to the countryside setting and the landscape and scenic beauty of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
residential development of up to 16 no. dwellings with associated parking, amenity and landscaping
- Authority
- Tunbridge Wells Borough Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Change of use
- Inspector
- Miles H
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area with particular respect to the countryside setting and the landscape and scenic beauty of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
- the effect of the proposed development on the setting of nearby heritage assets including the Sandhurst Conservation Area, Grade II listed Bayford House and the non-designated heritage asset Sharps Hill Oast
What decided it
The permanent and public harm to the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside and the landscape and scenic beauty of the AONB, which has the highest status of protection in relation to these issues, outweighs the moderate benefits of housing delivery and affordable housing provision.
The moderate benefits of housing delivery and affordable housing provision would not outweigh the public and permanent harm to the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside and the landscape and scenic beauty of the AONB, which has the highest status of protection.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Core Policy 4Core Policy 14Core Policy 6Policy LBD1Policy EN1Policy EN25Policy EN5
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 11Paragraph 202
How the Inspector dealt with each one is set out in the app, in order: the development plan, national policy, housing land supply, other considerations and the planning balance, beside the letter.
See how each was appliedThe decision letter
Town Planner Pro holds this letter. The Appeals plan opens it and every other letter we hold, all of them searchable, with the main issues and what decided each case picked out. We do not show letters on the free site because they carry people’s names and addresses.
With an account
What an account adds to this decision


More decisions in Tunbridge Wells
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2021
- Dismissed20 October 20266012604Manchester House The Heath, Horsmonden, TN12 8HT
- Dismissed21 September 202660052291 The Down Cottages, Lamberhurst Down, Lamberhurst, TN3 8EX
- Dismissed21 September 202660052251 The Down Cottages, Lamberhurst Down, Lamberhurst, TN3 8EX
- Allowed3 September 20266012775Flat 3, 49 Madeira Park, Royal Tunbridge Wells, TN2 5SY
- Dismissed28 August 202660062602 Ashfield Cottages, Horns Hill, Hawkhurst, Cranbrook, TN18 4XD
The main issues, what decided it, the planning balance and the policies and judgments listed as cited are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro and are our summary, not the Inspector’s words; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.
®