Plans for a small housing development in East Hoathly are set to go before Wealden councillors.

On Thursday (July 16), Wealden District Council’s Minors Planning Committee is due to consider plans to build five detached houses on undeveloped paddock land to the rear of South Street.

The proposals, by Brixter Developments Ltd, were to be approved under delegated powers but have been called in for debate by committee chairman Alison Wilson.

In a statement, Cllr Wilson wrote: “The proposal is contrary to [Wealden District Council planning policy] EN18, which recognises the contribution open undeveloped areas within settlements make to the character and local amenity of those settlements.

The proposed development is shown bordered in red together with a previously approved development to its south bordered in blue. Image: Wealden District Council

placeholder image — The proposed development is shown bordered in red together with a previously approved development to its south bordered in blue. Image: Wealden District Council

“The policy specifically acknowledges that such spaces may take the form of farmland and the benefits they provide as refuges or corridors for wildlife.

“The narrative to the policy states ‘the value that such open spaces and gaps in development can have to local amenity and character is reflected in national concern about town and village ‘cramming’.

“This proposal is being squeezed in between existing houses and further new development in a way which does not reflect the character of South Street, where houses are located within spacious gardens and in a linear pattern.”

Cllr Wilson highlights concerns around flooding, ecological impact and the land’s role as a buffer for a previous development.

Council planning officers say the scheme would benefit from the ‘tilted balance’ — a presumption in favour of sustainable development required by national planning rules when a local development plan is considered to be out-of-date.

In these circumstances, officers say, the council is required to approve development unless its downsides “significantly and demonstrably” outweigh its benefits.

In a report to the committee, a council planning spokesman said: “Overall, while the proposal conflicts with the spatial strategy and would result in some limited harm through the loss of undeveloped land, these impacts are outweighed by the delivery of additional housing in the context of a significant housing land supply shortfall.

“There is [not a] strong reason for refusal, in line with the NPPF [National Planning Policy Framework] tests set out under paragraph 11(d) to disengage the tilted balance.

“Therefore, the tilted balance is engaged as set out above, the adverse impacts of the proposal would not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits when assessed against the NPPF as a whole. As a result, full planning permission should therefore be granted.”

The development would be five detached dwellings each with its own garages. These would be made up of one two-bedroom, two three-bedroom and two four-bedroom homes.

Access would be from South Street. For details of this previous development see application reference WD/2023/3155/F on the Wealden District Council website.

For further information about the current proposals see application reference WD/2026/0316/F instead.