Land at The Old Dairy, Blackstone Gate Farm, Henfield Road, Albourne, Hassocks, West Sussex, BN6 8JJ

Planning appeal 3371529 at Land at The Old Dairy, Blackstone Gate Farm, Henfield Road, Albourne, Hassocks, West Sussex, BN6 8JJ (Horsham District Council) was allowed on 11 December 2025 by Inspector Pearce 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 Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Special Protection Area (SPA) and Ramsar sites, with regard to water neutrality.

the erection of dog grooming/reception building, alterations to design and use of stables for mixed equestrian and dog daycare and change of use of land for exercising dogs and associated works

Authority: Horsham District Council
Appeal type: minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: leisure-sport · Other minor developments
Inspector: Pearce J
Postcode: BN6 9JJ

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

The effect of the proposed development on the integrity of the Arun Valley Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Special Protection Area (SPA) and Ramsar sites, with regard to water neutrality

What decided it

Natural England's withdrawal of its Position Statement on water neutrality, confirming that development in the Sussex North Water Supply Zone would not have a likely significant effect on the Arun Valley protected sites.

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies: Policy 31 of the Horsham District Planning Framework

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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More decisions in Horsham District Council

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.