Land East of Harrisons Lane , Ringmer , BN8 5RB

outline planning application (with all matters reserved except for access) for the demolition of an existing residential property and the erection of up to 200 residential dwellings including affordable housing with the provision of vehicular access on to Harrisons Lane and pedestrian and cycle access on to Potato Lane alongside public open spaces, biodiversity enhancement, sustainable urban drainage systems, landscaping, infrastructure, and earthworks.’ Appeal B: Ref APP/P1425/W/23/3315235 Land East of Harrisons Lane, Ringmer, East Sussex

Authority: Lewes District Council
Appeal type: other · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Inquiry
Development: residential · Unknown
Inspector: Nunn M

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area, including the landscape and the setting of the South Downs National Park (SDNP)
whether the proposals are acceptable in terms of: highway safety, heritage assets, drainage and sewerage, educational capacity, locational accessibility and the 'village feel' of Ringmer
the planning balance

What decided it

The great weight attached to the harm caused to the landscape setting of the South Downs National Park (and consequential harm to the Park itself) outweighed the housing and other benefits of both schemes.

The significant/serious harm to the setting of the SDNP (attracting great weight) and to Potato Lane's rural character was found to significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits of housing delivery (including affordable housing), economic and social benefits, and environmental gains, both outside and, in the alternative, within the tilted balance.

Framework references: 11, 48, 57, 60, 76, 95, 111, 174, 176, 203

Plan policies cited: Policy CP10, Policy DM1, Policy DM25, Policy DM33, Policy 4.1, Policy 6.3, Policy 8.11, Interim Policy

Judgments cited: Bernhard Wheatcroft Ltd v SSE [JPL 1982 P37]; R(Akester) v Secretary of State [2010] EWHC 232 (Admin); R(Wyatt) v Fareham Borough Council [2022] EWCA Civ 983

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.