®Planning appeal decision
Woodfords, Shipley Road, Southwater, RH13 9BQ
outline planning application (all matters reserved except access) for demolition of existing dwelling and associated buildings and the erection of approximately 78 new dwellings (C3 use) and associated public open space, landscaping, drainage and highways infrastructure works, including vehicular access from Shipley Road
- Authority
- Horsham District Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- Bowyer J
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- whether or not the proposed development would provide a suitable location for housing having regard to its position within the countryside and the spatial strategy for the District
- the effect of the proposal on the integrity of the Arun Valley SPA, SAC and Ramsar Site, with particular regard to the abstraction of water within the SNWSZ
What decided it
The adverse effect of the development on the integrity of the Arun Valley SPA, SAC and Ramsar Site through water abstraction, which could not be adequately mitigated with sufficient certainty, precluded the proposal under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 and overrode the benefits of housing delivery.
The significant benefits of delivering 73 dwellings, affordable housing, economic and social benefits, and biodiversity net gain were outweighed by the adverse effect on designated nature conservation sites and conflict with the Habitats Regulations, which was a matter of overriding concern.
Framework references: 8, 11, 57, 182
Plan policies cited: Policy 2 of the Horsham District Planning Framework 2015, Policy 3 of the Horsham District Planning Framework 2015, Policy 4 of the Horsham District Planning Framework 2015, Policy 26 of the Horsham District Planning Framework 2015, Policy 16 of the Horsham District Planning Framework 2015, Policy 31 of the Horsham District Planning Framework 2015, Policy 39 of the Horsham District Planning Framework 2015
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.