Planning appeal decision
Pranks Mead, Lower Road, Forest Row, RH18 5HE
Planning appeal 3362206 at Pranks Mead, Lower Road, Forest Row, RH18 5HE (Wealden District Council) was dismissed on 12 September 2025 by Inspector Gardner L, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the host building, a non-designated heritage asset, and the surrounding area, with particular regard to whether it would preserve or enhance the character and appearance of the Forest Row Conservation Area and conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the High Weald National Landscape.
erection of a 1.5 storey side and rear extension
- Authority
- Wealden District Council
- Appeal type
- householder · Householder (HAS)
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Householder developments
- Inspector
- Gardner L
- Postcode
- RH18 5HE
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the host building, a non-designated heritage asset, and the surrounding area, with particular regard to whether it would preserve or enhance the character and appearance of the Forest Row Conservation Area and conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the High Weald National Landscape
- the living conditions of the occupiers of Bensons Court, with particular regard to outlook and natural light
What decided it
The harmful effect on the character and appearance of the non-designated heritage asset and Conservation Area, where the limited public benefits do not outweigh the identified harm.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Saved Policy HG10Saved Policy EN27Saved Policy EN19Policy SPO2Saved Policy EN6
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 189Paragraph 215Paragraph 216
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
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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.
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