Wealden Barn, Coopers Farm, Bolney Road, Cowfold, West Sussex, RH13 8AZ

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• The effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area
• Whether or not the appeal site is an appropriate location for the proposed dwelling having regard to the development plan policies relating to development outside built-up area boundaries

What decided it

The unacceptable harm to the character and appearance of the area caused by the introduction of a starkly designed, large-scale modern building in a sensitive countryside setting, combined with the unsustainable location outside the built-up area boundary, meant that the adverse impacts significantly and demonstrably outweighed the benefits even in the context of a housing land supply shortfall.

The moderate weight afforded to housing land supply benefits and other matters in favour of the proposal was significantly and demonstrably outweighed by the significant weight given to the unacceptable harm to character and appearance and the conflict with development plan policies directing development to sustainable locations.