Planning appeal decision
Lampool Site, Kingsfield Farm, Straight Half Mile, Maresfield, East Sussex, TN22 3DP
Planning appeal 3314422 at Lampool Site, Kingsfield Farm, Straight Half Mile, Maresfield, East Sussex, TN22 3DP (Wealden District Council) was dismissed on 16 February 2024 by Inspector Smith J, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area.
Outline application for approval in principle with all matters reserved except access for four detached dwellings
- Authority
- Wealden District Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- Smith J
- Postcode
- TN22 3DP
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area
- whether the proposal would protect or enhance biodiversity within the site
What decided it
The harm to character and appearance caused by the linear intrusion into open countryside, combined with the inability to demonstrate biodiversity net gain, outweighed the modest housing benefits in the context of the tilted balance.
the modest benefits of four dwellings and housing land supply contribution were significantly and demonstrably outweighed by the significant harm to character and appearance and biodiversity, applying the presumption in favour of sustainable development
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy EN8Policy EN27Policy GD2Policy DC17Policy WCS12Policy WCS14
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 11Paragraph 82Paragraph 83Paragraph 84Paragraph 135Paragraph 180
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


More decisions in Wealden District Council
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2024
- Dismissed25 September 20266009517Fairfield Cottage, Cross In Hand Road, Heathfield, TN21 0SN
- Dismissed14 April 20266003970Little Warren Barn, The Warren, Crowborough, East Sussex, TN6 1UB
- Dismissed27 January 20263370047Hedera Cottage North Street, Punnetts Town, Heathfield, TN21 9DT
- Dismissed22 January 20263372124Birch Holt, Marlpits Lane, Ninfield, East Sussex, TN33 9LD
- Allowed31 December 20253366478Snatchells Farm, Cross In Hand Road, Heathfield, TN21 0LS
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.
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