Concerns developers are ‘marching in through the door’ on East Hoathly housing plans

On Thursday (February 25), Wealden District Council’s planning committee south are to consider an outline application seeking permission to build up to 50 homes on land off of South Street.

There have been two previous proposals to develop the site in recent years – for up to 74 homes in 2018 and for up to 55 homes in 2019 – both of which were refused, due to the site  falling outside the East Hoathly development boundary.

However, planning officers are recommending this latest application be approved, as the council’s lack of a five-year supply of housing land means this boundary is outweighed.

A council planning officer said: “These policies, which restrict development in the countryside, were based on an assessment carried out in 1998 of the housing requirements up until 2004.

“In the absence of a five-year housing land supply the effect of these policies, which seek to restrain new development to land within the settlement boundaries, would be to restrict the supply of housing and prevent local housing needs being met.

“On this basis the issue of housing delivery is considered to be a significant material consideration in favour of the application that outweighs the policy conflict.

“On this basis, it is the officer’s view that very limited weight should be given to these two policies in the consideration of this application.”

Planning officers go on to say the development would also be considered sustainable development, while concerns about impacts on existing infrastructure and services would not be considered to weigh against the proposal.

The planning officer added: “The adverse impacts are not considered to significantly and demonstrably outweigh the advantages of the delivery of up to 50 dwellings in the context of the district’s lack of a five year housing land supply. 

“Subject to the completion of a legal agreement and the conditions set out in this report, it is recommended that outline planning permission is granted.”

While planning officers are recommending approval, the proposals have seen some significant local opposition.

Among those to raise objections is East Hoathly and Halland Parish Council, which has concerns over the impact of emissions to the Ashdown Forest and Lewes Downs Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), as well as the Pevensey Levels.

The parish council also expressed frustration at failure of Wealden’s draft local plan (withdrawn in 2019), the change in approach between applications and the combined impact of other nearby developments.

A spokesman for the council said: “It would appear, then, that in the absence of a plan and lacking resolve, common sense goes out of the window and developers march in through the door. 

“The parish council has begged for a holistic approach to planning. It can’t be, as has been advised, a single comment application by application. 

“Here, now there is an application for 50 houses  being presented at a time when a previous, flawed application by the same developer on the same site, stands awaiting appeal. 

“A rather belt and braces tactic from the developer and one that will surely lead to later controversy.”

For further information on the proposals see application reference WD/2020/1848/MAO on the Wealden District Council planning website.