®Planning appeal decision
Land at Upper Sparks Farm, Staplefield Road, Haywards Heath, RH17 5HY
Planning appeal 3310444 at Land at Upper Sparks Farm, Staplefield Road, Haywards Heath, RH17 5HY (Mid Sussex District Council) was allowed on 7 May 2025 by Inspector Satheesan R, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether the development is in a suitable location having regard to local and national policies concerned with rural economic development and sustainable tourism in the countryside.
Change of use of land from agriculture to use as storage in association with Cuckfield golf centre, including improvements to the access track, retention of hardstanding and oil tank and proposed erection of a storage barn for equipment and vehicles incorporating staff welfare facilities
- Authority
- Mid Sussex District Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- leisure-sport · Change of use
- Inspector
- Satheesan R
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- Whether the development is in a suitable location having regard to local and national policies concerned with rural economic development and sustainable tourism in the countryside
- The effect of the development on the character and appearance of the area, with particular regard to the location within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
What decided it
The economic benefits of supporting the sustainable growth of an established rural leisure facility, combined with the agricultural design of the building and comprehensive landscaping mitigation ensuring preservation of AONB character, justified allowing the appeal despite the countryside location.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy DP12Policy DP14Policy DP19Policy DP24Policy DP16Policy DP26Policy DP29Policy AS3
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 85Paragraph 88Paragraph 89
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
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With an account
What an account adds to this decision
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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.