®Planning appeal decision
Land at Upper Sparks Farm , Staplefield Road , Cuckfield, West Sussex , RH17 5HY
Planning appeal 3312194 at Land at Upper Sparks Farm , Staplefield Road , Cuckfield, West Sussex , 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.
without planning permission: 3.1 the material change of use of the Land from agriculture to a use of: 3.1.1 storage of plant, building materials, machinery and materials and parking of vehicles in association with Cuckfield Golf Centre. 3.1.2 the stationing of a portacabin and container upon the land. 3.1.3 the siting of a fuel container on the Land. 3.2 operational development comprising: 3.2.1 the erection of a storage shed on the Land. 3.2.2 the construction of an open storage bay on the Land. 3.2.3 the laying of hardstanding on the Land. (“the Unauthorised Development”)
- Authority
- Mid Sussex District Council
- Appeal type
- enforcement · Enforcement Notice
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- leisure-sport · Other minor developments
- Inspector
- Satheesan R
- Postcode
- RH17 5HY
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)
- The effect of the development on drainage and the risk to land and water contamination
What decided it
The development is intrinsically related to and essential for the effective operation of the adjacent established leisure facility, supports sustainable rural economic growth and tourism in accordance with national and local policy, and preserves the character and natural beauty of the AONB through appropriate siting and landscaping.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy DP12Policy DP14Policy DP19Policy DP24Policy DP16Policy DP26Policy DP29Policy DP41Policy DP42Policy AS3
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 85Paragraph 88Paragraph 89Paragraph 196
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.