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Allowed13 February 20233282246

Lower Stumble Exploration Site, London Road, Balcombe , Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH17 6JH

Planning appeal 3282246 at Lower Stumble Exploration Site, London Road, Balcombe , Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH17 6JH (West Sussex County Council) was allowed on 13 February 2023 by Inspector Sims B, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether the proposed development is justified by exceptional circumstances or the public interest, taking into account its effects on the landscape of the AONB, and on amenity and other environmental interests; the level of need for the development; the availability and cost of alternatives to the proposal outside the AONB; and any economic benefit to the community.

exploration and appraisal comprising the removal of drilling fluids and subsequent engineering works with an extended well test for hydrocarbons along with site security fencing and site restoration

Authority
West Sussex County Council
Appeal type
major · Planning Appeal
Procedure
Written Representations
Development
minerals-waste · Other Major Developments
Inspector
Sims B
Postcode
RH17 6JH

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

  • Whether the proposed development is justified by exceptional circumstances or the public interest, taking into account its effects on the landscape of the AONB, and on amenity and other environmental interests; the level of need for the development; the availability and cost of alternatives to the proposal outside the AONB; and any economic benefit to the community

What decided it

The national need for continued hydrocarbon exploration and assessment to support energy supply security pending transition to net-zero carbon energy provision constitutes exceptional justification for permitting major development within the High Weald AONB, outweighing the moderate adverse landscape impact.

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies
Policy M7aPolicy M13Policy DP12Policy DP16
National Planning Policy Framework
Paragraph 176Paragraph 177Paragraph 209Paragraph 211

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 applied

The decision letter

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More decisions in West Sussex County Council

The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2023

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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.

In the app this decision sits on the map beside every appeal around it, with its letter to read and the main issues, policies and judgments cited picked out.