The Oast, Birchetts Green, WADHURST, TN5 6HS

demolition of the existing single-storey garage, conservatory and annexe. Two-storey extension to the main house and internal alterations. Bay window to replace the existing conservatory. Reconstruction of the annexe in a new location further back in the site. Relocation of the existing entrance gates and driveway alterations

Authority: Rother District Council
Appeal type: householder · Householder (HAS)
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: residential · Householder developments
Inspector: James A

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

The effect of the proposed extensions on the character and appearance of the host property, a non-designated heritage asset and the area, having particular regard to the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

What decided it

The removal of incongruous modern additions (garage and conservatory) combined with sympathetically designed extensions that preserve the oasthouse's agricultural character and typology would enhance rather than harm the non-designated heritage asset and the High Weald AONB landscape.

Framework references: 11, 55

Plan policies cited: EN1, EN2, EN3, OSS4, RA3, RA4, DEN1, DEN2, DHG9

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.