Wealden District Council

Appellant: Hertfordshire Holdings Ltd

Appeal Reference: APP/C1435/W/23/3335625

Inquiry Opens: 23 April 2024 at the East Sussex National, Little Horsted, Uckfield, TN22 5ES

Proposal: Development of up to 124 no. residential dwellings, associated infrastructure (including a new access junction onto the A271) and open space.

Key dates

19 January 2024	Start of Inquiry procedure
25 January 2024	Questionnaire and Notifications by Letter Issued
23 February 2024	Deadline for Interested Party Comments and Rule 6 Statements
14 March 2024	Casework Management Conference held
26 March 2024	Deadline for all Proofs of Evidence and Core Documents
2 April 2024	Notification of Inquiry Details Letter to be issued
23 April 2024	Inquiry opens

Case Management Conference Summary Note

Case Management Conference Summary Note : 14 March 2024

View the Planning Application Case File Documents

View the Case File

You can view the Planning Application case file which includes the original submitted application form, plans, supporting information, officer report and representations through this link.

Inquiry Timetable

Timetable

The Inquiry timetable is a draft version and is subject to changes throughout Inquiry proceedings. The current version can be found below: View the current inquiry timetable.

CD	Document
1.1	Planning application cover letter
1.2	Planning application form
1.3	Site location plan
1.4	Illustrative masterplan
1.5	Parameters plan
1.6	Site access plan
1.7	Planning design and access statement
1.8a	Transport assessment (part 1)
1.8b	Transport assessment (part 2)
1.8c	Transport assessment (part 3)
1.9	Framework travel plan
1.10a	Arboricultural impact assessment and method statement
1.10b	Tree protection plan
1.10c	Tree SGN Manual
1.11	Ecological appraisal
1.12	Winter bird surveys
1.13	Flood risk assessment (three parts): Part 1 Part 2 Part 3
1.14	Landscape visual appraisal (report and two figures): Report Figures 1 Figures 2
1.15	Illustrative landscape strategy drawing
1.16	Heritage desk-based assessment
1.17	Utilities appraisal report (four parts): Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4
1.18	Biodiversity net gain report
1.19	Biodiversity metric v3
1.20a	Ground conditions (part 1)
1.20b	Ground conditions (part 2)
1.21	Air quality assessment
1.22	Noise assessment
1.23	Topographic survey

CD	Document
2.1	Biodiversity metric v3.1
2.2	WDC application form updated extract
2.3	Energy statement
2.4	Lighting strategy
2.5	Ecological impact assessment
2.6	Road safety audit
2.7	Consultation response letter
2.8	Illustrative masterplan
2.9	Parameter plan
2.10	Response to ESCC Highways Objection
2.11	Site access layout
2.12	Composite plan: NW Hailsham growth approved, proposed and potential development

CD	Document
3.1	WDC Biodiversity and Arboricultural response
3.2	WDC Environmental Health
3.3	CPRE
3.4	ESCC Highways 1st response
3.5	ESCC Highways 2nd response
3.6	Southern Water
3.7	Nature Space – GCN
3.8	Pevensey and Cuckmere Water Level Management Board and the Lead Local Flood Authority
3.9	WDC Drainage
3.10	Environment Agency
3.11	WDC Trees and landscape
3.12	ESCC Archaeology
3.13	WDC Heritage
3.14	East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service
3.15	Hellingly Parish Council
3.16	Sussex Police
3.17	WDC Waste Management
3.18	WDC Housing Development

CD	Document
5.1	Adopted Wealden Local Plan 1998
5.2	Wealden District Core Strategy Local Plan (adopted February 2013)
5.3	Wealden Local Plan Direction of Travel Consultation
5.4	Hellingly Neighbourhood Plan 2018 to 2028 (Referendum Version)
5.5	The Affordable Housing Delivery Local Plan (May 2016)

CD	Document
6.1	ESCC Local Transport Plan 3 (2011-2026)
6.2	ESCC Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (2020-2030): Part 1 Part 2
6.3	Travel Plans for Development, Guidance for Developers
6.4	Local Design Guide for Residential Development
6.5	Wealden Design Guide Part 1 Wealden Design Guide Part 2
6.6	New Wealden Local Plan for Regulations 18 consultation (DraftWL)
6.7	Draft Policies Map 28 for Hailsham, Hellingly and Lower Horsebridge
6.8 a & b	Strategic Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (SHELAA) February 2024 [including parish summaries]: Part A Part B
6.9 a & b	Wealden Level 1 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment and appendices: Part A Part B
6.10	Sustainability Appraisal of Sites: Hellingly Appendix A11o
6.11	Wealden Playing Pitch & Outdoor Sport Strategy: Strategy & Action Plan
6.12	Draft Outdoor Playing Space Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG)
6.13	The Playing Pitch and Outdoor Sports Strategy: Assessment Report
6.14	Character and Density Study

CD7	Document
7.1	National Planning Policy Framework
7.2	The Setting of Heritage Assets, Historic Environment Good Practice Advice in Planning Note 3 (Second Edition)
7.3	PPG: Historic environment
7.4	Managing Significance in Decision-Taking in the Historic Environment, Historic Environment Good Practice Advice in Planning Note 2
7.5	PPG: Flood Risk and Coastal Change
7.6	National Design Guide
7.7	National Model Design Code Part One
7.8	PPG: Natural Environment

CD8	Document
8.1	Illustrative masterplan
8.2	Parameters plan
8.3	Heritage Statement Addendum

CD9	Document
9.1	Landscape Character Assessment for Wealden District
9.2	Landscape Sensitivity Assessment to Residential and Employment Development
9.3	New Settlements and Large Urban Extensions
9.4	Guideline for Landscape and Visual Assessment (3rd edition)
9.5	Assessing landscape value outside national designations, Landscape Institute Technical Guidance Note 02/21
9.6	Visual Representation of Development Proposals, Landscape Institute Technical Guidance Note 06/19
9.7	An Approach to Landscape Character Assessment
9.8	An approach to landscape sensitivity assessment – to inform spatial planning and land management
9.9	National Character Area Profile NCA 121: Low Weald
9.10	East Sussex County Landscape Assessment, LCA 15 Eastern Low Weald
9.11	Sussex Historic Landscape Characterisation, Volume IV Gazetteer of Sussex Typology
9.12	Wealden Landscape & Settlement Character Assessment
9.13	South Wealden Growth Area Landscape and Ecology Studies, Appendix 2.6 – Lower Horsebridge

CD10	Document
10.1	WDC Five Year Housing Land Supply Statement – as of 1st April 2023
10.2	WDC Housing Action Plan
10.3	Member Update, dated January 2024
10.4	Authority Monitoring Report 2022/23
10.5	Authority Monitoring Report 2021/22
10.6	Authority Monitoring Report 2020/21
10.7	Authority Monitoring Report 2019/20
10.8	Authority Monitoring Report 2018/19
10.9	Wealden Local Housing Need Assessment
10.10	Start to Finish: How quickly do large-scale housing sites deliver?

CD11	Document
11.1	Land at Knights Farm East (Sport Hub proposal) WD/2023/2100/DC officer’s report
11.2	Knights Farm East, Hailsham: Report to inform Habitat Regulations Assessment Stage 1 (WD/2023/2100/DC)
11.3	Natural England’s email response to WDC’s HRA & Appropriate Assessment consultation for (WD/2023/2100/DC)
11.4	Visual Impact Assessment at Wealden Community Sports Hub (WD/2023/2100/DC)
11.5	Proposed pedestrian and cyclist access from A271 General Arrangement WD/2023/2100/DC
11.6	Land East of North Street, Lower Horsebridge WD/2019/1575/MAO officer’s report
11.7	Barnwell Manor Wind Energy Ltd v. East Northamptonshire DC, English Heritage, National Trust & SSCLG [2014] EWCA Civ 137
11.8	Bramshill v Secretary of State for Housing Communities and Local Government [2021] EWCA Civ 320
11.9	Catesby Estates v Steer [2018] EWCA Civ 1697
11.10	New City Court decision – APP/A5840/W/22/3290473 – by the Secretary of State (21 September 2023)
11.11	Appeal Decision Mornings Mill Farm, Eastbourne Road, Lower Willingdon, BN20 9NY APP/C1435/W/22/3297419
11.12	Decision Notice: Land at Park Farm East, New Road, Hellingly WD/2022/0294/MAO
11.13	Proposed site layout, Knights Farm East, WD/2023/2100/DC
11.14	Land at Knights Farm East (Sport Hub proposal) WD/2023/2100/DC officer’s updated report
11.15	Appeal Decision: Land off Potmans Lane, Lunsford Cross, Ninfield, TN39 5JL APP/C1435/W/23/3328328
11.16	Appeal Decision: Land at Mockbeggars Farm, London Road, Budletts Common, Uckfield, TN22 2EB APP/C1435/W/23/3330872

CD12	Document
12.1	Site access layout (updated)
12.2	Emails with Case Officer during the determination period
12.3	Email from WDC Head of Planning and Environmental Services
12.4	Public report pack, Extraordinary Full Council Meeting – 8 February 2024
12.5	WDC Pre-application advice letter
12.6	Wealden Sports Hub – Application Response letter on behalf of Hertfordshire Holdings Ltd.
12.7	Sports Park Development: Knights Farm East
12.8	Non Statutory Wealden Local Plan Chapter 7 Housing
12.9	Letter from the Planning Inspectorate to Natural England in respect to the Pevensey Levels SAC
12.10	Letter from the Planning Inspectorate to WDC in respect to the Pevensey Levels SAC
12.11	Email from Natural England to the Planning Inspectorate
12.12	Second email from Natural England to the Planning Inspectorate
12.13	WDC HRA information for the Planning Inspectorate
12.14	Appellant’s response to the WDC HRA information

CD13	Document
13.1	Appeal form submitted to the Planning Inspectorate Appeal documents are included in the original application documents listed in sections CD1, CD2, CD3 and CD4 above and the Appellant’s statement of case which is included as CD13.4 below.
13.2	Wealden District Council’s Appeal Questionnaire (including appeal notification letters and notification list): Appeal Questionnaire Appeal Notification Letter Appeal Notification List 1 Appeal Notification List 2
13.3	Annexe 2a notice and notice letters
13.4	Appellant’s Statement of Case (main document and appendices) Appellant Statement of Case: Appendix 1 Appellant Statement of Case: Appendix 2 Appellant Statement of Case: Appendix 3 Appellant Statement of Case: Appendix 4a Appellant Statement of Case: Appendix 4b Appellant Statement of Case: Appendix 5
13.5	Wealden District Council’s Statement of Case
13.6	Planning Inspector’s Case Management Conference Note
13.7	Transport Statement of Common Ground
13.8	Planning Statement of Common Ground
13.9	WDC Landscape Proof of Evidence WDC Landscape Proof of Evidence – Appendix 1 WDC Landscape Proof of Evidence – Appendices 2-4
13.10	WDC Heritage Proof of Evidence WDC Heritage Proof of Evidence – Appendices A-B WDC Heritage Proof of Evidence – Appendices C-M WDC Heritage Proof of Evidence – Appendix N WDC Heritage Proof of Evidence – Appendices O-P
13.11	WDC Planning Proof of Evidence WDC Planning Proof of Evidence – Appendix on Housing Land Supply
13.12	Appellant Transport Proof of Evidence Appellant Transport Proof of Evidence – Summary Appellant Transport Proof of Evidence – Appendices
13.13	Appellant Landscape Proof of Evidence Appellant Landscape Proof of Evidence – Summary Appellant Landscape Proof of Evidence – Figures 1-5 Appellant Landscape Proof of Evidence – Figures 6-10 Appellant Landscape Proof of Evidence – Figures 11-15 Appellant Landscape Proof of Evidence – Figures 16a-17b Appellant Landscape Proof of Evidence – Figures 17c-19c Appellant Landscape Proof of Evidence – Appendix A Appellant Landscape Proof of Evidence – Appendix B Appellant Landscape Proof of Evidence – Appendix C Appellant Landscape Proof of Evidence – Appendix D Appellant Landscape Proof of Evidence – Appendix E Appellant Landscape Proof of Evidence – Appendix F Appellant Landscape Proof of Evidence – Appendix G Appellant Landscape Proof of Evidence – Appendix H Appellant Landscape Proof of Evidence – Appendix H Figures 1-7 Appellant Landscape Proof of Evidence – Appendix H Figures 8-16 Appellant Landscape Proof of Evidence – Appendix I Appellant Landscape Proof of Evidence – Appendix J Appellant Landscape Proof of Evidence – Appendix K Appellant Landscape Proof of Evidence – Appendix L
13.14	Appellant Heritage Proof of Evidence Appellant Heritage Proof of Evidence – Summary Appellant Heritage Proof of Evidence (Appendices)
13.15	Appellant Housing Land Supply Proof of Evidence Appellant Housing Land Supply Proof of Evidence – Summary Appellant Housing Land Supply Proof of Evidence – Appendix 1 Appellant Housing Land Supply Proof of Evidence – Appendix 2 Appellant Housing Land Supply Proof of Evidence – Appendix 3 Appellant Housing Land Supply Proof of Evidence – Appendix 4 Appellant Housing Land Supply Proof of Evidence – Appendix 5 Appellant Housing Land Supply Proof of Evidence – Appendix 6 Appellant Housing Land Supply Proof of Evidence – Appendix 7 Appellant Housing Land Supply Proof of Evidence – Appendix 8 Appellant Housing Land Supply Proof of Evidence – Appendix 9 Appellant Housing Land Supply Proof of Evidence – Appendix 10 Appellant Housing Land Supply Proof of Evidence – Appendix 11 Appellant Housing Land Supply Proof of Evidence – Appendix 12 Appellant Housing Land Supply Proof of Evidence – Appendix 13
13.16	Appellant Planning Proof of Evidence Appellant Planning Proof of Evidence – Summary Appellant Planning Proof of Evidence – Appendix A Appellant Planning Proof of Evidence – Appendix B Appellant Planning Proof of Evidence – Appendix C Appellant Planning Proof of Evidence – Appendix D Appellant Planning Proof of Evidence – Appendix E
13.17	WDC Planning Rebuttal
13.18	WDC Landscape Rebuttal
13.19	Appellant’s Planning Rebuttal
13.20	Appellant’s Landscape Rebuttal
13.21	Appellant’s Heritage Rebuttal
13.22	Appellant’s HLS briefing note
13.23	Landscape and Visual Joint Assessment Summary Tables
13.24	Joint Statement of the Appellant and Local Planning Authority on the Status of Plans for Approval
13.25	Final conditions for consideration (and appendix)

CD14	Document
14.1	Interested Party 1
14.2a	Interested Party 2
14.2b	Interested Party 2
14.3	Interested Party 3
14.4	Interested Party 4
14.5	Interested Party 5
14.6	Interested Party 6
14.7	Interested Party 7
14.8	Interested Party 8
14.9	Interested Party 9
14.10	Interested Party 10
14.11	Interested Party 11
14.12a	Interested Party 12
14.12b	Interested Party 12
14.13a	Interested Party 13
14.13b	Interested Party 13
14.14	Interested Party 14
14.15	Interested Party 15
14.16	Interested Party 16
14.17	Interested Party 17
14.18	Interested Party 18
14.19a	Interested Party 19
14.19b	Interested Party 19
14.19c	Interested Party 19
14.19d	Interested Party 19
14.19e	Interested Party 19
14.19f	Interested Party 19
14.19g	Interested Party 19
14.20	Interested Party 20
14.21	Interested Party 21
14.22	Interested Party 22
14.23	Interested Party 23
14.24	Interested Party 24

Land to the South of the A271 Document Library

Inquiry Timetable

Appeal Notification Letters

Proofs of Evidence

Core Documents