®Planning appeal decision
Ashfolds, Horsham Road, Rusper, West Sussex, RH12 4QX
Planning appeal 3375662 at Ashfolds, Horsham Road, Rusper, West Sussex, RH12 4QX (Horsham District Council) was dismissed on 17 March 2026 by Inspector De Freitas Terceiro P, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: whether the proposal would be in a suitable location for housing, having regard to the development strategy for the area.
the erection of a single storey rear extension and alterations to existing garage/outbuilding to convert to a single dwellinghouse
- Authority
- Horsham District Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- De Freitas Terceiro P
- Postcode
- RH12 4QX
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- whether the proposal would be in a suitable location for housing, having regard to the development strategy for the area
- the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area
What decided it
The substantial and long-lasting harm to the character and appearance of the rural area, arising from the conversion of a subservient outbuilding to an independent dwelling and associated plot subdivision, significantly and demonstrably outweighs the considerable benefits of housing delivery in a location with a critical housing shortfall.
The considerable benefits of housing delivery and effective use of land in a location with a critical housing shortfall (1-year supply) were outweighed by the substantial and long-lasting harm to character and appearance and the significant conflict with development plan policies protecting the countryside and rural character.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- HDPF Policy 2HDPF Policy 3HDPF Policy 4HDPF Policy 25HDPF Policy 26HDPF Policy 32HDPF Policy 33NP Policy RUS3NP Policy RUS10
- 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.
See how each was appliedThe decision letter
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With an account
What an account adds to this decision
More decisions in Horsham District Council
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2026
- Allowed29 October 20266008830Staalcot Farm Stall House Lane, Stall House Lane, North Heath, RH20 2HR
- Dismissed19 October 20266007051Bentley House, North Heath Lane Industrial Estate, North Heath Lane, Horsham, RH12 5QE
- Dismissed15 October 20266012640The Fords, Bonfire Hill, Southwater, RH13 9BU
- Dismissed13 October 20266008205Barnards Nursery, Rock Road, Washington, RH20 3BH
- Allowed12 October 20266011680Land at High Chaparral, London Road, Washington, RH20 3BP
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.