Planning appeal decision
The Warren, Stevens Crouch, Battle, TN33 9LR
Planning appeal 3299923 at The Warren, Stevens Crouch, Battle, TN33 9LR (Rother District Council) was dismissed on 25 May 2023 by Inspector James A, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: whether the appeal site represents a suitable location for the proposed development, having particular regard to conserving and enhancing the landscape and scenic beauty of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
Residential development of land with 3 no. detached dwellings served by existing vehicular access
- Authority
- Rother District Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- James A
- Postcode
- TN33 9LR
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- whether the appeal site represents a suitable location for the proposed development, having particular regard to conserving and enhancing the landscape and scenic beauty of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
- the effect on great crested newts
What decided it
The proposal would cause significant harm to the landscape and scenic beauty of the AONB, a protected area to which the highest status of protection must be given, and this harm is not outweighed by the benefits of housing delivery.
The moderate benefits of housing delivery and economic investment were outweighed by the significant harm to the AONB landscape and scenic beauty and poor accessibility by sustainable transport; the AONB protection policies provided a clear reason for refusal under paragraph 11d(i) of the Framework, displacing the tilted balance.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy OSS2Policy OSS4Policy RA2Policy RA3Policy EN1Policy EN5Policy DEN1Policy DEN2Policy DIM2Policy BA1
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 80Paragraph 176Paragraph 11
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 appliedThe decision letter
Town Planner Pro holds this letter. The Appeals plan opens it and every other letter we hold, all of them searchable, with the main issues and what decided each case picked out. We do not show letters on the free site because they carry people’s names and addresses.
With an account
What an account adds to this decision


More decisions in Rother District Council
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2023
- Dismissed22 October 2026601553265 Westfield Lane, St Leonards on Sea, TN37 7NF
- Dismissed14 October 20266007775Land Adjacent to Broadlawns, Whitebread Lane, Beckley, TN31 6TY
- Dismissed12 October 20266010105Upper Morgay Wood, Junction Road, Staplecross, TN32 5SH
- Dismissed22 September 20266008634Barn House, Warren Road, Fairlight, TN35 4AN
- Allowed21 September 20266009677Black Cottage, Henley Down, Catsfield, TN33 9BN
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.
®