Dunley Wood Mayfield Road, Cross In Hand, HEATHFIELD, TN21 0UE

Change of use of the existing forestry / agricultural building to a 'Sui Generis' mixed use of forestry, agriculture and contractors yard, to include mezzanine floor for office use. Retention of surrounding yard area for same proposed use and creation of an impermeable machinery and equipment wash down area with drainage to a waste water treatment plant. Appeal

Authority: Wealden District Council
Appeal type: enforcement · Enforcement Notice
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: employment-industrial · Change of use
Inspector: Hocking P

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

the effect of the development on the character and appearance of the area, having particular regard to the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (the AONB) and ancient semi-natural woodland (ASW)
the effect of the development on ecology and biodiversity

What decided it

The development's limited visual impact within a contained woodland setting, combined with its role as a sustainable rural business contributing to local employment, outweighs any minor character concerns and accords with development plan policies and NPPF objectives for conserving the natural environment and building a strong economy.

Plan policies cited: EN6, EN13, EN27, DC7, SPO1, EN15, WCS14, GD2, EN1, SPO7, SPO13, CS2

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.

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