®Planning appeal decision
Dismissed12 August 20253354390
The Old Lodge, Ditton Place, Brantridge Lane, Balcombe, HAYWARDS HEATH, West Sussex, RH17 6JR
‘Change of use of paddock to garden land. Erection of a residential outbuilding’
- Authority
- Mid Sussex District Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Change of use
- Inspector
- Smith J
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- whether the proposed development would be suitably located having regard to development plan policies concerning development in the countryside
- the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area, with particular regard to whether it would conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the High Weald National Landscape (HWNL)
- the benefits of the proposed development with reference to the particular needs of a member of the appellant's family having regard to the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Equality Act 2010
What decided it
The harm to the character and appearance of the High Weald National Landscape and failure to demonstrate high-quality design, even when weighed against the significant personal and equality benefits to the disabled family member, was not sufficient to justify departure from the development plan.
Framework references: 189
Plan policies cited: Policy DP12, Policy DP15, Policy DP16, Policy DP26, Policy AS3
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.