New bungalow in Peasmarsh is turned down by planning inspector

In a decision notice published last week, a planning inspector has turned down a proposal to build a bungalow on land to the rear of a property known as Field View in School Lane.

The appeal scheme had previously been refused by Rother District Council in January, mainly due to concerns about its impact on the High Weald National Landscape.

In a report at the time, a council planning spokesman said: “Although the proposal would provide a small contribution to meeting the housing need, this would not outweigh the significant harm to the landscape and scenic beauty of the High Weald National Landscape.

“This is owing to the prominence from the rear and from surrounding viewpoints. The development of the site would not appear integrated into the settlement edge, instead, appearing as a significant urban intrusion into the rural landscape.

“In addition, there are concerns in relation to the level of natural light available to the proposed dwelling in regard to a harmful impact on future occupant amenities. This is due to the mature tree line positioned along the east boundary line.”

This view was strongly disputed by the applicant, who argued the site would “appear as a natural addition to the established development within Peasmarsh” and therefore “conserve and enhance” the National Landscape.

The applicant also argued that the council should have viewed the scheme more favourably given its shortage of housing.

Ultimately, however, the planning inspector shared the council’s view that the development would harm the National Landscape.

In their decision notice, the inspector said: “The detailed design of the development has not yet been determined.

“However, in any potential iteration of the proposal, the bungalow would add substantial bulk and mass to a site that is currently devoid of large buildings. Moreover, due to the site’s location beyond the rear building line of Field View, the dwelling would lead to the encroachment of development beyond the established built edge of Peasmarsh. Consequently, notwithstanding its position within an existing residential curtilage, it would have an urbanising effect on the landscape setting to the south of the village.”

The inspector added: “Overall, I conclude that the site is not suitable for residential development, having regard to its location, land use, and the amount of development proposed.”

For further information on the proposals see application reference RR/2023/2566/PIP on the Rother District Council website.