Stumble Ridge, Oldlands Avenue, Balcombe, West Sussex , RH17 6LP

Planning appeal 3362865 at Stumble Ridge, Oldlands Avenue, Balcombe, West Sussex , RH17 6LP (Mid Sussex District Council) was dismissed on 26 August 2025 by Inspector Allen K, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: The effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area, having particular regard to the Balcombe Conservation Area.

Removal of existing outbuilding and holiday let building. Erection of detached dwelling with associated landscaping and access

Authority: Mid Sussex District Council
Appeal type: minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: residential · Minor Dwellings
Inspector: Allen K
Postcode: RH17 6LP

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

The effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area, having particular regard to the Balcombe Conservation Area.

What decided it

The great weight attached to the less-than-substantial harm to the Balcombe Conservation Area and its character and appearance outweighed the public benefits of the proposal, including housing supply.

The modest amount of less-than-substantial harm to the Conservation Area, to which great weight was attached, was not outweighed by the moderate weight given to housing supply benefits and the limited weight given to other benefits such as biodiversity, energy efficiency, and employment.

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies: Policy DP26Policy DP35Policy 3 of the Balcombe Neighbourhood Plan
National Planning Policy Framework: Paragraph 11

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.