Land at Erleigh, West Street, Mayfield, East Sussex, TN20 6DR

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the site is a suitable location for development with regard to the locational policies of the development plan
• the effect of the proposed development on the landscape character of the area with particular regard to whether the proposal would conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the High Weald NL
• the effect of the proposed development on the significance of designated and non-designated heritage assets
• the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area with particular regard to the design of the proposed dwellings
• the effect of the proposed development on the integrity of the Ashdown Forest SAC and SPA

What decided it

The Council's inability to demonstrate a five-year housing land supply engaged the tilted balance, and the substantial benefit of housing delivery outweighed the limited, localised landscape and heritage harms identified.

The substantial benefit of four dwellings' contribution to a longstanding housing land supply shortfall, together with limited benefits from enhanced environmental performance and economic activity, outweighed the great weight attached to limited harm to the High Weald National Landscape and less-than-substantial harm to the setting of the Mayfield and Coggins Mill Conservation Area, such that the adverse effects did not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits.