2 High Weald Cottages, Chelwood Gate Road, Chelwood Gate, TN22 3HL

Retrospective application to regularise works undertaken to residential dwelling comprising linked rear extension and garage

Authority: Wealden District Council
Appeal type: Planning
Procedure: Written
Development: residential
Postcode: TN22 3HL

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

The effect of the proposals on the significance of 1 and 2 High Weald Cottages, which is a non-designated heritage asset (NDHA)
Whether the proposals would conserve or enhance the High Weald National Landscape

What decided it

The sheer scale and massing of the extensions, which dominate and overwhelm the original cottages' architectural significance and harm the character of the High Weald National Landscape, outweighs the limited benefits of the scheme.

The moderate harm to the non-designated heritage asset and modest harm to the National Landscape, to which great weight must be given, outweigh the very limited benefits of additional floorspace and biodiversity gain.

Plan policies cited: Policy GD2, Policy EN1, Policy EN27, Policy DC19, Objective SP02

Read the decision letter on the Inspectorate’s site

The main issues and the deciding factor are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.

What an account adds

Draw a red line around your site and the appraisal follows.

Heritage. Listed buildings by grade and distance, conservation areas, scheduled monuments, registered parks and gardens, heritage at risk.
Landscape and environment. Green belt, national parks and national landscapes, SSSIs, ancient woodland, SPA, SAC and Ramsar sites, nutrient catchments.
Flooding. Flood zones 2 and 3, surface water, and both again with climate change.
Transport. The 800 metre station catchment and service frequency, bus stops with their weekday frequency, the cycle network, and the Framework’s transport tests measured for the site.

Then the development plan position, the housing land supply as an Inspector last accepted it, and every appeal decided around the site with its letter.

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