Land at Coldharbour Lane, North Chailey, Lewes, BN8 4HJ

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the site would be suitable for residential use, having regard to ground conditions
• whether the site would be an appropriate location for entry-level affordable housing, having regard to local and national policy for housing, and would deliver this type of housing
• the effect of the development on the character and appearance of the area, with reference to access, layout and its location in relation to North Chailey and Newick
• whether the development would be acceptable in highways terms, having regard to access and layout
• whether it would make satisfactory provision for surface water drainage, with respect to layout

What decided it

The proposal failed to demonstrate that the site was suitable for residential development given ground conditions, was not sustainably located, would cause significant harm to the character and appearance of the area by eroding the green gap between settlements, and raised unresolved highway safety and drainage concerns.

The moderate weight given to housing supply and social, economic and environmental benefits of the dwellings was significantly and demonstrably outweighed by substantial weight given to the unresolved ground contamination risk, unsustainable location, significant harm to character and appearance through erosion of the green gap between settlements, unresolved highway safety concerns, and unresolved drainage risks.