®Planning appeal decision
Seaford and District Constitutional Club, Crouch Lane, SEAFORD, BN25 1PU
redevelopment to provide a part 3.5 / part 4.5 storey building to provide 40 Retirement Living apartments for older persons, with associated communal facilities, parking and landscaping and replacement club
- Authority
- Lewes District Council
- Appeal type
- major · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Inquiry
- Development
- residential · Major dwellings
- Inspector
- Spencer D
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- The effect on the setting of listed buildings, the Seaford Town Centre Conservation Area and non-designated heritage assets
- The effect of the appeal proposal on the character and appearance of the area
- The effect of the proposed development on highway safety and access for all users, having particular regard to legibility and accessibility for those wishing to access to the relocated club facility
- The effect of the proposed development on the living conditions of occupiers of neighbouring residences, with particular reference to outlook and daylight
What decided it
The tilted balance under NPPF paragraph 11(d)(ii), triggered by the absence of a five-year housing land supply, meant the identified design/pedestrian accessibility harm did not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the cumulative benefits of the scheme.
The significant weight attached to the design/pedestrian accessibility harm did not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the considerable cumulative benefits (housing delivery, retirement housing release of stock, affordable housing contribution, community facility retention, economic and environmental benefits), so the tilted balance favoured granting permission.
Framework references: 8, 11, 55, 56, 57, 62, 92, 93, 112, 124, 130, 134, 187, 194, 199, 202
Plan policies cited: Core Policy 1, Core Policy 7, Core Policy 11, Core Policy 13, Policy DM25, Policy DM26, Policy DM33, Policy SEA2, Policy SEA3, Policy SEA17
Judgments cited: Satnam Millennium Ltd v. SSHCLG & Warrington Borough Council [2019] EWHC 2631 (Admin)
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.