Hooters Moat Lane, Sedlescombe, BATTLE, TN33 0RY

Authority: Rother District Council
Appeal type: minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: agricultural · Minor general industry/storage/warehousing
Inspector: Hobbs J

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

whether the need for the barn has been demonstrated
the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
whether the proposal would satisfactorily address the loss, or otherwise, of habitat for protected species, including ancient woodland

What decided it

The failure to demonstrate need for the barn combined with the harmful effects on AONB character through woodland clearance and the inadequate assessment of protected species impacts meant the development conflicted with the development plan with no material considerations to outweigh this harm.

Plan policies cited: Policy RA3, Policy OSS3, Policy OSS4, Policy RA2, Policy EN1, Policy EN5, Policy DEN1, Policy DEN2, Policy DEN4

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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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