Two-pitch day room at Netherfield Hill, Battle TN33 9P

What was proposed

Retrospective permission was sought for a removable day room serving two existing temporary caravan pitches until May 2027.

“Temporary permission for two caravan pitches at land adjacent to Fir Tree Cottage was granted until May 2027 under Planning Ref: RR/2022/2791/P. The current application seeks retrospective approval for a day room associated with these pitches. The proposed day room is a removable structure providing essential amenities to meet the needs of the residents, with limited visual impact on the rural character and High Weald National Landscape (HWNL).”

“This application seeks retrospective permission to vary the conditions stipulated in the original temporary planning permission (RR/2022/2791/P) to install a day room. The layout of the site is consistent with that indicated on the submitted block plan.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site lies in countryside within the High Weald National Landscape, beside ancient woodland and a neighbouring cottage, with access from Netherfield Hill.

“The application site lies to the southern side of Netherfield Hill. It is positioned between Fir Tree Cottage to the east and Ashes Wood to the west, which is designated as ancient woodland and is also covered by a ‘Right to Roam’. There is a Public Right of Way around 200m east of the site linking Netherfield Hill to Ashes Wood to the south.”

“The site is served by a vehicular access onto Netherfield Hill measuring around 17m in length and 6m in width. There is a screen of trees and vegetation across the frontage, either side of the access. The remainder of the site measures around 80m in width and 37m in depth. The field to the south is owned by the Applicant.”

Officer report

Objections and local concerns

Town and parish councils and 11 local people objected to the retrospective process, breaches of earlier conditions, visual impact and ancient woodland effects.

“Brightling Parish Council supports Battle Town Council and local residents in objecting to this application for the following reasons: - Since new structures have been brought onto the site, this application should be for retrospective permission, not variation of condition. - The new structures are in breach of condition relating to dimensions and site layout.”

“Planning Notice – this application has received objections from 11 members of the local community: • Significant objections to the retrospective nature of the application. Misrepresentative, misleading. Undermines transparency.”

Officer report

Who addressed the committee

Members visited the site, heard from a resident opposing the proposal and considered comments from Councillor Burton, local councils and residents.

The committee vote

An initial motion to grant was lost, but a later motion to grant temporary permission carried with three votes for and three abstentions.

“Councillor Stanger moved the motion to GRANT (Temporary Planning Permission) as per the officer’s recommendation, as detailed within the report, including three additional conditions regarding the day room not being used as sleeping accommodation, colour of the building to adhere to the HWMP standards and protection of the dark skies (control of external lighting on the building); wording to be delegated to officers in consultation with the Chair of the Planning Committee.”

“After further deliberation by the Planning Committee, Councillor Drayson moved the motion to GRANT (Temporary Planning Permission) on the basis that the Planning Committee considered that the harm caused to the HWNL by granting temporary planning permission under RR/2022/2791/P would be intensified by granting this application.”

Minutes

The final decision

Temporary permission was granted until 30 May 2027, with removal, layout, occupancy, pitch and landscape controls plus restrictions on sleeping, lighting and colour.

“The use hereby permitted shall be discontinued, and the caravans and day room removed from the site on or before 30 May 2027. Reason: The residential use of the site is not considered suitable on a permanent basis in this location due to the harm it causes to the landscape and scenic beauty of the High Weald National Landscape which is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty but is permitted on a temporary basis due to current lack of local provision of Gypsy and Traveller…”

“The day room hereby approved shall not be used at any time for sleeping or overnight accommodation. Reason: To ensure the day room functions solely as an ancillary amenity building serving the two existing temporary pitches. Temporary permission is granted for the day room to meet the needs of the current Gypsy and Traveller (G&T) incumbents, having regard to the context within which the original temporary permission was granted i.e.”

Minutes