®Planning appeal decision
Land north of Staplefield Road, Slaugham, Haywards Heath, RH17 6AG
change of use of land to a Transit Site for Gypsy/Traveller's comprising the formation of 6 Touring Caravan Pitches for nomadic use only, and the erection of 6 utility buildings, as well as the formation of a children's play area
- Authority
- Mid Sussex District Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Hearing
- Development
- caravan-gypsy · Minor traveller and caravan pitches
- Inspector
- Pannell G
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- whether the appeal site represents an appropriate location for the proposed development, having regard to the Council's spatial strategy for traveller pitches, including an assessment of need
- whether the appeal site represents an appropriate location for the proposed development, having regard to the accessibility of services and facilities
- the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area, including the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
- the effect of the proposed development on biodiversity
What decided it
The considerable weight attached to the collective harm to the character and appearance of the area and the AONB, combined with conflict with the development plan, outweighed the benefits of the scheme.
The moderate weight given to the effective use of derelict land and associated benefits, together with the equality and cultural benefits for Gypsies and Travellers, were not sufficient to outweigh the considerable weight attached to the significant collective harm to character and appearance and the AONB and the conflict with the development plan.
Framework references: 180, 174
Plan policies cited: Policy DP6, Policy DP12, Policy DP33, Policy DP16, Policy DP26, Policy DP38, Policy DP21, Policy 1 of the Slaugham Neighbourhood Plan, Policy 3 of the Neighbourhood Plan
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.