®Planning appeal decision
St. Crispins Rc Church, Church Place, PULBOROUGH, RH20 1AF
demolition of existing buildings and redevelopment of the site to provide 7 dwellings with associated access, parking, and landscaping
- Authority
- Horsham District Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- Hickey A
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- whether or not the proposed development would affect the integrity of the Arun Valley Special Area of Conservation, Special Protection Area, and Ramsar Site
- the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area, including the conservation area and the setting of the nearby Grade II listed Ramblers
What decided it
The proposal fails to demonstrate that it would achieve water neutrality and therefore the Inspector cannot conclude that it would not adversely affect the protected Arun Valley sites, which provides a clear reason for refusal under Framework paragraph 11(d) notwithstanding the lack of five-year housing land supply.
Although the Council cannot demonstrate a five-year housing land supply and the development would re-use a brownfield site and contribute to housing stock, the Framework policies protecting European Sites provide a clear reason for refusal, and the modest housing benefits do not outweigh the harm identified in relation to the protected habitat sites.
Framework references: 11
Plan policies cited: Policy 31, Policy 32, Policy 33, Policy 34, Policy 37
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.