The Bulrushes, Coombe Hill Road, East Grinstead, RH19 4LZ

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the proposed development would be in a suitable location for housing, having regard to local and national planning policy
• Whether the proposed development would be sustainably located
• The effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the surrounding area
• The effect of the proposed development on the living conditions of Ashwood Cottage, Hazeldene and Fieldways with particular regard to privacy
• The effect of the proposed development on flood risk

What decided it

The harm to the High Weald National Landscape and character and appearance of the surrounding area, combined with the failure to demonstrate compliance with flood risk policy and the unsuitability of the location for countryside development, outweighed the benefits of housing delivery.

The significant harms to the National Landscape, character and appearance, location suitability and flood risk, afforded significant weight individually and cumulatively, outweighed the moderate weight given to housing delivery and the moderate weight given to the sustainable rural location.