Decision to refuse Crowborough development to be revisited

On Friday (July 10), Wealden District Council’s planning committee north is set to reconsider outline proposals for a 119-home development on land north of Eridge Road.

The committee previously considered the scheme on two occasions, which saw it deferred in February and  – against officer advice – ultimately refused at a second meeting in March. 

But Wealden District Council says the committee’s decision was not formally enacted in light of concerns being raised about the decision-making process and subsequent legal advice. 

So far the council has declined to comment on the specifics of the concerns raised or who had raised them, but says it is holding an internal review related to the matter.

A Wealden District Council spokesman said: “After application WD/2017/2197/MAO came before Planning Committee North on March 5, concerns were raised about the decision-making process.  The council was notified of this shortly after the committee meeting. 

“Having obtained legal advice, the resolution to refuse was not acted upon so no decision was issued because the council decided to take the application back to Planning Committee North. It is now scheduled for consideration on July 10.

“We are carrying out an internal review in relation to the decision-making process. We will not be commenting further until it is completed.”

Under planning rules, the committee is expected to consider the application afresh and with an ‘open mind’. 

If not, the council could open itself up to a legal appeal on grounds of predetermination.

This could be in addition to an appeal to the planning inspectorate. 

The site itself is made up of four fields next to Goldsmiths Leisure Centre and its car park, as well as a caravan and camping site. The site is also next to Luxford Farm house, a listed building.

The proposals have proven to be highly controversial, largely due to concerns around the impact on the local road network but also because of its potential impact on the High Weald AONB and the Ashdown Forest.

Despite these concerns the scheme is recommended for approval subject to conditions by planning officers, largely because the council cannot demonstrate a five-year supply of housing land. 

As a result, the national planning rules say permission should be granted unless the adverse impacts of doing so would “significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits” when considered against other national planning rules.

For further information see application reference WD/2017/2197/MAO on the Wealden District Council planning website.

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.