Three-bedroom dwelling and gym at Woodmans, Copthorne, Crawley

“Proposal: Change of Use from C1 (holiday use) to C3 (residential) Consolidation of two cabins into single storey 3 bedroom energy efficient dwelling and retention of third cabin as ancillary home gym.”

“Purpose of Report 1.1 To consider the recommendation of the Interim Assistant Director for Planning and Sustainable Economy on the application for planning permission as detailed above. Executive Summary 2.1 Planning permission is sought for the change of Use from C1 (holiday use) to C3 (residential) with the consolidation of two cabins into single storey 3-bedroom energy efficient dwelling and retention of third cabin as ancillary home gym.”

“Suggested an Informative. Copthorne Parish Council Observations 6.1 Defer to Officer 7.0 Introduction 7.1 Permission is sought for the change of Use from C1 (holiday use) to C3 (residential) with the consolidation of two cabins into single storey 3-bedroom energy efficient dwelling and retention of third cabin as ancillary home gym.”

“Woodmans (now named Mulberry House) is a large two storey hipped roofed dwelling on an access track off Copthorne Common Road serving Woodmans Farm, Woodmans Bungalow, Coombers Wood Farm and Copthorne Manor. The site is characterised by existing three black timber clad cabins accessed from a gravel driveway off the access to the main house with parking for 3+ cars serving the cabins which are holiday lets approved in 2023.”

“Although the application must be assessed against the policies of the Development Plan taken as a whole, this assessment has identified conflict with the Development Plan. This being in respect of what types of development are allowable under policies DP4, DP6 and DP15 of the District Plan. There is partial conflict with policy DP12, but the proposal does maintain the quality of the landscape character.”

“The neutral impacts relate to design, residential amenity, transport, drainage, ecology, trees and impact on Ashdown Forest. In weighing up these issues, when taken together, it is not considered that the adverse impacts of the development would significantly or demonstrably outweigh the benefits of the proposal.”

“The Chairman took Members to a vote on the recommendations in the report. These were approved with 10 in favour, none against and 2 abstentions.”

“Planning permission was approved subject to the conditions outlined at Appendix A.”

“No external materials shall be used other than those specified on the application form and approved plans without the prior approval of the Local Planning Authority. Reason: To protect the appearance of the building and the area and to accord with Policies DP26 of the Mid Sussex District Plan and CNP1 of the Copthorne Neighbourhood Plan.”

“This permission is considered to be one which will require the approval of a biodiversity gain plan before development is begun (which includes demolition) because none of the statutory exemptions or transitional arrangements are considered to apply.”