Two converted rural dwellings at Blakes Farm, Stalkers Lane, Chiddingly

What was proposed

The application sought permission to convert two existing rural buildings into two dwellings with associated works.

“Executive Summary Full planning permission is sought for the conversion of two existing rural buildings into two dwellings, with associated works. The previous application was refused on the grounds that the scheme proposed significant modification to the original buildings to an extent that conflicts with saved Local Plan Policy DC8 and, as such, amounted to the construction of new-build dwellings beyond any development boundary.”

“Proposal Full planning permission is sought for the conversion of two existing rural buildings into two dwellings, with associated works. Environmental Impact Assessment With regard to the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017 (‘the EIA Regulations’), the scheme is considered not to amount to EIA development.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site contains two former poultry sheds in the rural countryside, reached by a shared drive, near trees, homes, agricultural land and a public right of way.

“Site and Surroundings The application site comprises two large former poultry sheds, located within a parcel of land, within a rural countryside setting in the Parish of Chiddingly. Access to the site is via a shared access drive off Stalkers Lane. To the west of the site is a pocket of trees, designated as priority habitat and to the north residential dwellings, with agricultural land surrounding.”

“Site Constraints The application site is subject to the following constraints: • Located outside a defined development boundary. • Situated within the Low Weald landscape character area. • Located within the red Impact Risk Zone for great crested newts. • Proximate to a Public Right of Way (PROW).”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

An earlier application for converting two chicken sheds into two dwellings was refused because the extent of modification amounted to new-build housing.

“Relevant Planning History Full planning history available on the Council’s website. This application follows refusal of planning permission for the CONVERSION OF 2 CHICKEN SHEDS INTO 2 DWELLINGS under WD/2025/0850/F in June 2025. Pre-Application Advice None sought.”

Officer report

What consultees said

The parish council objected, while rights of way, ecology and pollution consultees raised no objection or supported approval subject to conditions.

“Consultation Responses The following consultation responses and representations have been received. These responses are summarised. Full versions of the consultation responses and representations are available on the case file available on the Council’s website (link above). Statutory Consultees Chiddingly Parish Council: OBJECTS to this application on the same grounds as the previous application (WD/2025/0850/F).”

“Non-Statutory Consultees ESCC Rights of Way: NO OBJECTION, but requests that a condition is attached to any consent to require that Footpath Chiddingly 30b remains available at all times during construction. NatureSpace Newt Officer: NO OBJECTION, subject to a condition to secure compliance with the proposed reasonable avoidance measures. WDC/Rother Pollution Control: Recommends APPROVAL with conditions to address noise, light pollution and asbestos.”

Officer report

Who spoke

One member of the public spoke against the application and two members of the public spoke in favour.

Members considered the proposal

Members were satisfied that relevant planning considerations had been covered, then considered the application after an adjournment for officer and member discussion.

“Decision/Voting: On the basis that Members were satisfied that all relevant planning considerations had been covered within the report:”

“Note: The Committee adjourned for Officer and Member discussion at 11.40am and restarted at 12.00pm.”

Minutes

The final decision

The committee refused permission because the remote, poorly connected location would leave occupiers reliant on private cars and the resulting harm would outweigh the benefits.

“RESOLVED: That full planning permission be refused for the following reasons:”

“The development would be situated in an area which is lacking in public transport options and would result in occupiers of the dwellings being wholly reliant on use of the private car to access even the most basic services. As such, it does not encourage the reduction of the need to travel by car as it does not concentrate development where it can most closely relate to public transport opportunities.”

Minutes