Planning appeal decision
Marthas Barn Warehouse , Wheatsheaf Road, Henfield, West Sussex, BN5 9AX
Planning appeal 3348204 at Marthas Barn Warehouse , Wheatsheaf Road, Henfield, West Sussex, BN5 9AX (Horsham District Council) was dismissed on 28 April 2025 by Inspector Leonard S, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: The impact of the appeal scheme on the character and appearance of the area.
Appeal A: change of use of land to lorry turning and delivery area and creation of hardstanding. Appeal B: change of use of land for works associated with bespoke detailing and distribution of premium vehicles.
- Authority
- Horsham District Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- employment-industrial · Change of use
- Inspector
- Leonard S
- Postcode
- BN5 9AX
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- The impact of the appeal scheme on the character and appearance of the area
- The impact of the appeal scheme on the integrity of the Arun Valley European Protected Sites (Appeal B only)
What decided it
The significant harm to character and appearance caused by the encroachment of hardstanding and commercial activity into undeveloped rural grassland is not outweighed by the minimal or moderate economic benefits claimed by the appellant.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy 2Policy 10Policy 25Policy 26Policy 33Policy 3.2
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 12Paragraph 15
How the Inspector dealt with each one is set out in the app, in order: the development plan, national policy, housing land supply, other considerations and the planning balance, beside the letter.
See how each was appliedThe decision letter
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With an account
What an account adds to this decision


More decisions in Horsham District Council
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2025
- Allowed29 October 20266008830Staalcot Farm Stall House Lane, Stall House Lane, North Heath, RH20 2HR
- Dismissed19 October 20266007051Bentley House, North Heath Lane Industrial Estate, North Heath Lane, Horsham, RH12 5QE
- Dismissed15 October 20266012640The Fords, Bonfire Hill, Southwater, RH13 9BU
- Dismissed13 October 20266008205Barnards Nursery, Rock Road, Washington, RH20 3BH
- Allowed12 October 20266011680Land at High Chaparral, London Road, Washington, RH20 3BP
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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