Land to the SW of Summer Cottage, Whitelands, Westfield, East Sussex, TN35 4SB

the demolition of existing storage buildings, hardstanding and construction of a new dwelling along with landscaping, parking and use of existing access to the A28, and creation of a new planting buffer and biodiversity enhancements

Authority: Rother District Council
Appeal type: minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: residential · Minor Dwellings
Inspector: Redford R

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

Whether the appeal site is suitable for the proposed development, having regard to its accessibility
Whether the appeal site is suitable for the proposed development, having regard to the conservation and enhancement of the landscape and scenic beauty of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)

What decided it

The significant harm arising from the poor accessibility of the site, which would conflict with Framework paragraphs 92, 104 and 110 promoting walking, cycling and public transport, would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits of the proposal.

The benefits of housing delivery and AONB enhancement were outweighed by the significant harm arising from poor accessibility and conflict with sustainable transport policies in the Framework.

Framework references: 11, 60, 69, 80, 92, 104, 110, 120, 176

Plan policies cited: OSS2, OSS4, RA2, RA3, EN1, DEN2, DIM2

Read the decision letter on the Inspectorate’s site

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.

What an account adds

Draw a red line around your site and the appraisal follows.

Heritage. Listed buildings by grade and distance, conservation areas, scheduled monuments, registered parks and gardens, heritage at risk.
Landscape and environment. Green belt, national parks and national landscapes, SSSIs, ancient woodland, SPA, SAC and Ramsar sites, nutrient catchments.
Flooding. Flood zones 2 and 3, surface water, and both again with climate change.
Transport. The 800 metre station catchment and service frequency, bus stops with their weekday frequency, the cycle network, and the Framework’s transport tests measured for the site.

Then the development plan position, the housing land supply as an Inspector last accepted it, and every appeal decided around the site with its letter.

Every English appeal since 2016, with the letter behind it wherever the Inspectorate published one. Searched by meaning as well as by words, with the key case law counted live across the letters.

Casework that chases the deadlines. Applications, appeals and conditions with their statutory dates.

The judgement stays yours. The tool gathers the material and dates it.