Six-caravan traveller site at Beech Farm, Wisborough Green, Billingshurst

What was proposed

The application proposed six residential caravans, utility buildings, storage, landscaping, package treatment plants and biodiversity improvements.

“Proposal Change of use of land for the stationing of 6 no. caravans for residential purposes, construction of utility buildings and associated landscape works, installation of package treatment plants.”

“The application proposes the use of land for the stationing of 6 no. caravans for residential purposes, alongside the construction of utility buildings, bike and refuse storage and associated landscape works. It has been confirmed through the applicant's design and access statement that the proposed occupants would fall within the definition of a 'Gypsy…”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is a flat, open Grade 3 agricultural paddock within the Beech Farm estate, outside a settlement boundary and near a bridleway.

“The application site comprises a parcel of land within a wider site known as 'Beech Farm'. The site is located within a rural area, outside of designated settlement boundary and within the parish of Loxwood. The site is located approximately 3km south of Loxwood and approximately 6km north of Wisborough Green and north-west of Billingshurst.”

“The road leads through to the main equestrian unit, with an authorised mobile home to the east and outdoor ménage to the west of the access. The main equestrian unit comprises a cluster of stable buildings and a residential dwelling. To the south-west of the main building cluster is a large agricultural building, used as an indoor arena. To the north and west is paddock land and to the east a detached residential dwelling in separate ownership.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended permission with a Section 106 agreement because significant supply, community-scale and biodiversity benefits outweighed landscape and agricultural land harm.

“The proposal would result in moderate harm to the character and landscape given that most of harm identified would come from views within the site, which would reduce to limited as the landscaping, including the boundary planting and tree planting to the south, matures. The impact of the proposal on the character and landscape of the area is afforded moderate negative weight.”

“The density of development is appropriate and proportionate to the scale of the settled community (i.e., not dominating) and would not exceed the settled community, either in numerical terms or area. The impact upon the settled community is given significant positive weight.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Highways, environmental protection and ecology consultees raised no objection subject to measures, while flood authorities withdrew their objection after amended drainage information.

“Further comments were received following the submission of an amended Drainage Strategy on 26.05.2026, withdrawing their holding objection and requesting conditions requiring the development’s compliance with the Drainage Scheme, as well as the submission of a verification report.”

“The Environmental Protection Officer reviewed the development and raised no objection, subject to conditions pertaining to contaminated land and rainwater harvesting.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Two objectors and the agent addressed the committee, and the planning officer presented the report.

What members considered

Officers answered questions about need, location, lighting, planting, ecology, conditions, layout and earlier concerns about water neutrality.

“With regards to lighting, [name withheld] advised that condition 26 requires details of a lighting scheme to be submitted, any changes must be considered prior to development. Condition 17 also addresses concerns regarding planting. In relation to site sustainability and location, the countryside location is deemed acceptable, as illustrated in feedback received in appeal decisions. The site and proposal are well related and appropriate in scale to the nearest settled community.”

“Regarding ecology, [name withheld] stated that a preliminary ecological proposal was conducted in 2025. The mitigation and enhancement measures considered as part of this have been reviewed and accepted by Officers. These measures have been implemented in condition 12 and 20. Officers can also add entrance gates to the conditions, if Members wish to add this.”

Minutes

The committee vote

Members voted by show of hands to defer the application for a Section 106 agreement and then permit it.

“Following a vote by show of hands, the Committee agreed to support the recommendation to defer for section 106 then permit.”

Minutes

The decision

The committee resolved to defer for the Section 106 agreement and then permit the application subject to the stated conditions and informatives.

“Defer for Section 106 then permit, subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the report, the update sheet and the verbal update provided by Officers.”

Minutes