Orchard House, Neaves Lane, Ringmer, BN8 5UA

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• the effect of the proposed holiday pods on the rural character and appearance of the area
• the effect of the increased activity associated with the holiday pods on the living conditions for neighbouring occupiers
• whether the isolated rural location would be in harmful conflict with local and national policy to minimise the need for travel and to promote sustainable transport

What decided it

The Inspector's pragmatic interpretation of sustainability and rural economy policies, combined with the modest scale and screening of the pods and the absence of objection from neighbouring occupiers, outweighed the Council's concerns about visual impact and activity levels.

The benefits of rural tourism accommodation and sustainable rural economy promotion outweighed the Council's concerns about visual intrusion and activity impacts, particularly given the pragmatic application of sustainability policy to rural holiday uses.