®Planning appeal decision
Land Opposite 10 Bridgers Mill, Haywards Heath, West Sussex , RH16 1NT
a detached, chalet style, three-bed dwelling house
- Authority
- Mid Sussex District Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- Lawrence R
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- whether or not the site would be a suitable location for the proposed development, having regard to the risk of flooding
- the effect of the development on the character and appearance of the area, including in relation to existing trees
What decided it
The site's location within Flood Zone 3b with high surface water flood risk, combined with the appellant's failure to satisfy the sequential test, rendered the site unsuitable for residential development and provided a strong reason for refusal that engaged the Framework's flood risk policies.
The harm and policy conflict regarding flood risk, carrying significant weight, outweighed the moderate benefits of housing supply contribution, self-build provision, and acceptable design, resulting in dismissal.
Framework references: 11
Plan policies cited: Policy DP41, Policy DP26, Policy DP37, Policy E9, Policy H9
Judgments cited: Mead Realisations Ltd v The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities & Another [2024] EWHC 279 (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.