Planning appeal decision
Upper Morgay Wood Junction Road, Staplecross, Robertsbridge, TN32 5SH
Planning appeal 3273162 at Upper Morgay Wood Junction Road, Staplecross, Robertsbridge, TN32 5SH (Rother District Council) was allowed on 18 May 2022 by Inspector Woodwards O, following a hearing. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: The effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area, including the effect on the landscape and scenic beauty of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (the AONB).
the demolition of the existing dwelling and agricultural buildings and erection of replacement dwelling, new ancillary building and associated works, including extension to residential curtilage
- Authority
- Rother District Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Hearing
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- Woodwards O
- Postcode
- TN32 5SH
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- The effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area, including the effect on the landscape and scenic beauty of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (the AONB)
What decided it
The outstanding and innovative design of the replacement dwelling and its careful siting within the valley meant the proposal protected the character and appearance of the area and the AONB, and the accumulated benefits outweighed the limited harm identified.
The many benefits, including outstanding design, enhancement of ancient woodland habitat, biodiversity net gain and economic benefits, outweighed the moderate harm from future occupants' reliance on the car
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy DHG12Policy DEN1Policy DEN2Policy OSS4(iii)Policy RA2(viii)Policy RA3(v)Policy EN1(i)Policy DHG8Policy DEN4Policy DRM1Policy DHG4
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 11Paragraph 174Paragraph 176Paragraph 180Paragraph 134Paragraph 81
- Judgments
- [2021] EWCA Civ 74
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
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More decisions in Rother District Council
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2022
- Dismissed22 October 2026601553265 Westfield Lane, St Leonards on Sea, TN37 7NF
- Dismissed14 October 20266007775Land Adjacent to Broadlawns, Whitebread Lane, Beckley, TN31 6TY
- Dismissed12 October 20266010105Upper Morgay Wood, Junction Road, Staplecross, TN32 5SH
- Dismissed22 September 20266008634Barn House, Warren Road, Fairlight, TN35 4AN
- Allowed21 September 20266009677Black Cottage, Henley Down, Catsfield, TN33 9BN
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.
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