®Planning appeal decision
Land south of Catsfield Road, Hurst Wood Green, Ninfield, TN33 9JA
Erection of up to 40 dwellings including 14 Affordable units and associated infrastructure including means of access, with all other matters reserved. A new public footpath will be provided on Highways Land along Catsfield Road
- Authority
- Wealden District Council
- Appeal type
- major · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Major dwellings
- Inspector
- Douglas L
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- the principle of the proposed development with specific regard to its location
- the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area
What decided it
The significant harm to the rural character and appearance of the area caused by the loss of planting, visual impact of accesses and footpath, and the cramped density of development on a sloping site outside the village's built form substantially and demonstrably outweighs the benefits of housing delivery, even in the context of a shortfall in five-year housing land supply.
The substantial and long-lasting harm to character and appearance, given substantial weight, significantly and demonstrably outweighs the significant weight given to affordable housing benefits, the less significant weight given to market housing benefits (due to the less acute supply shortfall), and the modest weight given to economic and environmental benefits.
Framework references: 11, 57, 219
Plan policies cited: Policy GD2, Policy DC17, Policy EN1, Policy EN8, Policy EN12, Policy EN14, Policy EN27, Policy WCS6, Policy WCS13, Policy LR1, Policy LR3, Policy LR5, Policy EN2, Policy AFH1, Policy HG6, Policy WCS9, Policy WCS12
The main issues and the deciding factor are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.