The development, in Barcombe Mills Road, in Barcombe, near Lewes, was initially rejected by Lewes District Council on the grounds that it was on good quality agricultural land and would negatively impact a nearby Grade II listed building.
But housebuilders Gladman Developments appealed against the decision to the planning inspectorate and on December 13 were granted permission to go ahead with their plans to build up to 70 homes.
Barcombe residents campaigning before the appeal decision (Image: Barcombe Says No)
The homes, 40 per cent of which will be affordable, will be surrounded by public open space and landscaping.
Barnham resident Stuart Arnold said: “There was overwhelming rejection to the proposed development by the local community with more than 200 objections.
“The planning inspector confirmed that the application was in contravention with numerous national planning policies, including those that protect best and most versatile (BMV) agricultural land.”
The planning inspector concluded that the significant harm the proposed development would cause was outweighed by the need to make up the council’s short fall in housing numbers.
But, Mr Arnold says, the planning inspector “discounted the many other issues and areas of harm associated with the proposed development, including harm to heritage assets, regular flooding of the primary access road and lack of public transport”.
After news that the appeal decision had been upheld, Green Councillor Joa Saunders said: “The people of Barcombe have been badly let down by an out-of-touch government that no longer has the trust of the people.
“Having sat through the Blackcurrant field appeal and knowing the area well I cannot see how this decision has been made, it’s utter madness.”
The centre of the village (Image: Google)
Councillor Laurence O’Connor, cabinet member for planning at Lewes District Council, said: “When it comes to planning, there is no constructive dialogue or balance in the relationship between the government and local authorities, it is a one-way street, all stick and no carrot.
“On Tuesday, Michael Gove issued more threats to councils about housing supply without ‘concreting over the countryside’, yet his planning inspector has just done exactly that in Barcombe.
“A very reasoned and balanced decision was made to refuse the application, based on the facts that this development would be on good quality agricultural land outside of any agreed planning boundaries and it would impact upon a Grade II listed building.
“Yet, the government’s planning inspector has decided to run roughshod over these conclusions and the views of local people.
“This repeated imposition of decision making makes a mockery of the government’s previous policy of encouraging ‘localism’.”
Councillor Laurence O’Connor (Image: LDC)
A spokesman for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, said: “The appeal decision was issued on December 13.
“From that point, there is a six-week window during which time the decision can be challenged in the High Court. Therefore, it would be inappropriate for us to comment.”
Gladman Developments was contacted for comment.
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Source: www.theargus.co.uk
This notice was published: 2023-12-21 05:00:00
