Perrymans End, Perrymans Lane, Heron's Ghyll, Uckfield, TN22 4BX

the conversion of an equestrian barn to a dwelling and provision of a soft landscaping scheme

Authority: Wealden District Council
Appeal type: minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: residential · Change of use
Inspector: Butcher C

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

Whether the existing barn is suitable for conversion, taking account of development plan policies and the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the surrounding area, including the scenic beauty of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)

What decided it

The significant and enduring harm to the scenic beauty of the High Weald AONB and character and appearance of the area caused by the modern appearance of the proposed conversion, particularly the extensive glazing, significantly and demonstrably outweighed the limited benefits of providing one new home.

The benefits of one new home and support for local facilities, afforded limited weight despite the housing land supply shortfall, were significantly and demonstrably outweighed by the significant and enduring harm to the scenic beauty of the AONB and character and appearance of the surrounding area, to which great weight was given.

Framework references: 176, 80, 11

Plan policies cited: Policy DC17, Policy GD2, Policy EN1, Policy EN6, Policy DC8, Objective SPO1, Policy WCS6, Policy WCS14

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.

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.

Then the development plan position, the housing land supply as an Inspector last accepted it, and every appeal decided around the site with its letter.

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