®Planning appeal decision
Old Manor House Udimore Road, Broad Oak, RYE, TN31 6DG
erection of 20 dwellings and associated parking, on land to the south of Old Manor House. The provision of affordable housing totals 8 dwellings (to include 2 First Homes)
- Authority
- Rother District Council
- Appeal type
- major · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Major dwellings
- Inspector
- Hobbs J
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the High Weald National Landscape
- whether the site is a suitable location for a residential development having regard to the development strategy
- whether an appropriate mechanism has been provided to secure the provision of affordable housing
- whether the proposed houses would be safe from flooding
What decided it
The harmful effect on the character and appearance of the High Weald National Landscape, combined with the site's location outside the development boundary contrary to the development strategy, provides a clear reason for refusal under the Framework, such that the shortfall in housing land supply does not engage the presumption in favour of sustainable development.
The benefits of 20 dwellings, renewable energy provision, electric vehicle charging, biodiversity net gain and construction multiplier effects were outweighed by the substantial harm to the High Weald National Landscape and conflict with the development plan's strategic locational objectives, with the Framework's requirement for great weight to be given to conserving National Landscape character and scenic beauty tipping the balance decisively against the proposal.
Framework references: 11, 79, 219
Plan policies cited: OSS2, OSS4, EN1, EN3, RA3, LHN1, LHN2, EN7, PC1, EN2, EN5, TR3, TR4, DHG7, DEN5, BRO1, BRO2
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.