140-home development at Land At Howells Bank Farm, Broyle Lane, Ringmer

What was proposed

The application sought outline permission for up to 140 homes, access from Broyle Lane, internal roads, parking, open space, play areas and drainage works.

“Outline application (appearance, landscaping, layout and scale reserved), for the erection of up to 140 dwellings, and associated infrastructure including spine road with access from Broyle Lane and network of internal roads and car and cycle parking, together with provision of open space, play facilities, utilities infrastructure, surface water drainage features and associated works.”

Officer report

The site and its surroundings

The site covers about 16 hectares of enclosed grazing fields beside Broyle Side, with public rights of way, watercourses, countryside and nearby heritage assets.

“Broyle Lane becomes distinctly more rural in character as it passes alongside the small field to the immediate north of Hunters Lodge (which is part of the application site) and heads north, with it narrowing and being flanked by fields, hedgerow and sporadic agricultural buildings and dwellings.”

“None of the other fields within the site have a direct street frontage although development on the western side of Broyle Lane backs onto the easternmost fields, where the bulk of the development would be focussed. There is also a public right of way (RIN/16/3) running from Broyle Lane, passing between dwellings and into the south-eastern part of the site, with the opening allowing some views into the site from the street.”

Officer report

Earlier use of the land

Earlier permissions allowed the land to be used for keeping horses, first temporarily and later permanently.

“5 Relevant Planning History 5.1 LW/98/0598 – Section 73(A) Retrospective application to retain current use of land and shelter for keeping of horses – Approved for temporary period (3 years) 9 th June 1998”

“LW/01/0965 – Renewal of temporary planning permission LW/98/0598 for the retention of current use of the land and retention of shelter for keeping of horses – Permanent Approval 13 th July 2001”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval subject to a legal agreement and conditions, concluding that the benefits would not be significantly and demonstrably outweighed by the harms.

“It is considered that the planning balance exercise provided in section 1 of this report demonstrates that, whilst the development would result harmful impacts, some of which would be substantial, these would not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits offered and, therefore, in line with para. 11 d) ii) of the NPPF, it is considered that the application should be approved, subject to the obligations and conditions listed in section 9 of this report.”

“9 Recommendations 9.1 It is recommended that the application is approved subject to a section 106 legal agreement securing the following:”

Officer report

Who spoke at the meeting

A parish councillor, three speakers against the proposal, the applicant and two ward councillors addressed the committee.

The committee decision

The committee approved the outline application subject to the legal agreement, report conditions, an expanded water assessment and additional transport provisions.

“That outline application (appearance, landscaping, layout and scale reserved), for the erection of up to 140 dwellings, and associated infrastructure including spine road with access from Broyle Lane and network of internal roads and car and cycle parking, together with provision of open space, play facilities, utilities infrastructure, surface water drainage features and associated works be approved, subject to:”

“A Section 106 Legal Agreement; 2. The conditions set out in the report and supplementary report; 3. Amendment to the wording of Condition 10.23 of the report, expanding the Water Infrastructure Assessment to include water provision; and 4. Additional transport provisions to be added to the Section 106 Agreement as set out in Paragraph A.7 of the Addendum to include car club and additions for the provision of cycle as part of the transport package incentive.”

Minutes