Land at Upper Sparks Farm, Staplefield Road, Haywards Heath, RH17 5HY

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.

Framework references: 85, 88, 89

Plan policies cited: Policy DP12, Policy DP14, Policy DP19, Policy DP24, Policy DP16, Policy DP26, Policy DP29, Policy AS3

Read the decision letter on the Inspectorate’s site

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What an account adds

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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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