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Split Decision29 May 20263375764

1 Greenacres Farm West Chiltington Lane, Billingshurst, RH14 9DR

Planning appeal 3375764 at 1 Greenacres Farm West Chiltington Lane, Billingshurst, RH14 9DR (Horsham District Council) was allowed in part (a split decision) on 29 May 2026 by Inspector Freer P, following a hearing. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: the effect, if any, on the character and appearance of the area.

Material change of use of the Land from agriculture to stationing of caravans for human habitation, together with the associated creation of a new access, operational development comprising importation of waste material to create an access track and hard surface, installation of a water treatment (septic) tank, installation of a gas tank, erection of brick pillars and construction of a building/wooden structure ('the Building') and earth bund used in connection with the unauthorised residential use

Authority
Horsham District Council
Appeal type
enforcement · Enforcement Notice
Procedure
Hearing
Development
caravan-gypsy · Minor traveller and caravan pitches
Inspector
Freer P
Postcode
RH14 9DR

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

  • the effect, if any, on the character and appearance of the area
  • whether the development(s) would have an adverse effect on protected species and their habitats
  • whether the new access causes harm to the function and safety of the highways network
  • whether the measures for disposal of foul and surface water at the site are adequate

What decided it

The paragraph 11(d) planning balance, under which harm to landscape character and protected species outweighed the appellant's benefits for the development in full, but not for the reduced scheme once the brick pillars, gates and rear hardstanding were excluded.

for the development as alleged in full, the adverse impacts on character/appearance and protected species significantly and demonstrably outweighed the benefits to the appellant's Gypsy/Traveller family; once the brick pillars, entrance gates and rear hardstanding were excluded, the reduced harm meant the adverse impacts no longer significantly and demonstrably outweighed those benefits, tipping the balance in favour of granting permission for the retained elements

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies
Policy 23Policy 25Policy 26Policy 33Policy 31Policy 40Policy 38Policy 12
National Planning Policy Framework
Paragraph 187Paragraph 11
Judgments
Wychavon District Council v Secretary of State for Communities & Local Government, Kathleen Butler, Leonard Butler [2008] EWCA Civ 692; Chapman v UK 33 EHRR 399; Chapman v UK [2001] ECHR 43

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 2026

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  2. Allowed12 October 20266011680
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  3. Allowed25 September 20266010268
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  4. Allowed24 September 20266007772
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  5. Notice upheld16 September 20263373450
    Development Site Lot 3, Kent Street, Cowfold, West Sussex, RH13 8BB

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.

In the app this decision sits on the map beside every appeal around it, with its letter to read and the main issues, policies and judgments cited picked out.