The Smithy Bolney Road, Cowfold, Horsham, West Sussex, RH13 8AA

Planning appeal 3357803 at The Smithy Bolney Road, Cowfold, Horsham, West Sussex, RH13 8AA (Horsham District Council) was allowed on 4 August 2025 by Inspector Smith J, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: The effect of the proposed development on the integrity of the Arun Valley European Sites, with particular regard to water neutrality.

erection of an additional storey to provide first floor office space (E class)

Authority: Horsham District Council
Appeal type: minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: employment-industrial · Minor offices/R&D/light industry
Inspector: Smith J
Postcode: RH13 8AA

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

The effect of the proposed development on the integrity of the Arun Valley European Sites, with particular regard to water neutrality

What decided it

The applicant's revised Water Neutrality Report, supported by Natural England's confirmation that the proposed rainwater harvesting mitigation measures would be sufficient to avoid adverse impact on the Arun Valley European Sites, secured by an appropriate condition.

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies: Policy 31 of the Horsham District Planning Framework 2015
National Planning Policy Framework: Paragraph 193

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.

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The decision letter

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The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2025

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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.