Coldthorn Barn Coldthorn Lane, HAILSHAM, BN27 3PJ

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether or not the development plan would support the proposed residential development in this location
• whether or not future occupants of the housing would have satisfactory access to services and facilities by a range of transport modes
• the effect of the development on the character and appearance of the area
• the effect of the development on non-designated heritage assets
• the effect of the development on the adjoining woodland, including whether or not it should be considered to be Ancient Woodland
• the effect of the development on habitats and protected species
• when examining the overall planning balance, if the proposal would not accord with the development plan when considered as a whole, whether or not material considerations indicate a decision should be made otherwise

What decided it

The Council's inability to demonstrate a five year housing land supply engaged the paragraph 11d tilted balance, and the benefits of each scheme were found not to be significantly and demonstrably outweighed by the identified harms.

For Appeal A the moderate benefits of housing, economic and social gains were balanced against moderate harms (out-of-centre location and accessibility concerns), tipping in favour of approval; for Appeal B the substantial benefits (housing supply, affordable housing, economic/social gains) outweighed the moderate harm to character and appearance and limited weight given to conflict with the development boundary policy.