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Decision by National Park Authority on woodland site is upheld by Inspector



Decision by National Park Authority on woodland site is upheld by Inspector

December 15, 2022

The Planning Inspectorate has upheld a decision by the National Park Authority to refuse a residential scheme on a wooded area in the countryside.

Last year the Authority refused outline plans for eight homes and associated access, car parking and landscaping at Kingsmead Close, Bramber, West Sussex, on a site protected by a woodland Tree Preservation Order.

The application was refused because the site is outside the settlement boundary and the proposal conflicted with policies set out in the adopted South Downs Local Plan and Bramber Neighbourhood Plan that resist development in the rural area.

The Authority’s report said: “The proposal, by reason of its uncharacteristic extension of the settlement and incongruous, urban layout and landscaping, would generate significant intrinsic harm to landscape character and the permanent and irreversible loss of broadleaf woodland, that would fail to conserve or enhance this part of the  National Park, or the rural setting of Steyning. The development would also have a negative visual impact on longer views from the South Downs Way.”

The appellant submitted evidence arguing there would not be significant harmful impact on the landscape and woodland habitat.

Awarding full costs to the Authority, Planning Inspector Nick Palmer said: “I found in my decision on the appeal that the Housing Need Assessment that was undertaken to inform the Neighbourhood Development Plan does not weigh in favour of the development because it does not take account of constraints including the National Park designation. Furthermore, the site was rejected by the Parish Council for allocation.

“Although there are differences of opinion as to whether the development would accord with policies regarding landscape and ecological impacts, it is clear that, as a matter of principle, the proposed development is not in accordance with the development plan which restricts development in the countryside outside settlement boundaries.”

Following the decision, Stella New, Development Management Lead, said: “These proposals were clearly contrary to both the South Downs Local Plan and Bramber Neighbourhood Plan and we’re pleased with the outcome. The National Park has a very high level of protection and building a housing development outside the settlement boundary in such a sensitive area, plus loss of priority woodland habitat, would be very harmful.”