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Planning appeal decision

Notice upheld28 January 20263333602

Willow Spring Farm, Northchapel, Petworth, GU28 9EN

Planning appeal 3333602 at Willow Spring Farm, Northchapel, Petworth, GU28 9EN (South Downs) was dismissed on 28 January 2026 by Inspector Douglas L, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether, on the date the notice was issued, enforcement action could be taken in respect of the material change of use of the building to a dwellinghouse.

Without planning permission, the material change of use of a building (in the approximate position shown on the Plan) to use as a single dwelling house

Authority
South Downs
Appeal type
enforcement · Enforcement Notice
Procedure
Written Representations
Development
residential · Change of use
Inspector
Douglas L
Postcode
GU28 9EN

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

  • Whether, on the date the notice was issued, enforcement action could be taken in respect of the material change of use of the building to a dwellinghouse

What decided it

The appellant's evidence was not sufficiently precise and unambiguous to demonstrate on the balance of probabilities that the material change of use took place at least four years before the notice was issued and that the building remained in continuous use as a dwellinghouse since, and the appellant's deliberate deception in concealing evidence prevented reliance on the four-year limitation period.

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More decisions in South Downs

The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2026

  1. Notice varied and upheld23 April 20263371500
    Land at Quin Hay Fram, Petersfield Road, Froxfield, Petersfield , GU32 1BZ
  2. Notice upheld9 February 20263346595
    Moodys Meadow, Petersfield Road, Bramdean, Hampshire, SO24 0JX
  3. Notice varied and upheld28 January 20263331030
    Land at Hucksholt Farm, Compton, Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 9NS
  4. Notice varied and upheld21 January 20263355722
    Lythe Lane, Petersfield, Hampshire, GU32 1AT
  5. Planning permission granted22 December 20253329847
    Land to the West of Parsonage Barn, Oxenbourne Lane, East Meon, Petersfield, GU32 1EW

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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