30 homes at Saxon Court, Pound Green, Buxted

What was proposed

The application proposed demolishing a vacant care home and ancillary structures to build 30 homes with landscaping, parking, infrastructure and access from the A272.

“Application WD/2025/1996/MAJ Report to: Majors Planning Committee Date: April 2026 Site address: SAXON COURT, POUND GREEN, BUXTED, TN22 4DT Proposal: DEMOLITION OF THE VACANT BUILDING AND ANCILLARY OUTBUILDINGS/STRUCTURES, AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF 30 NO. RESIDENTIAL DWELLINGS WITH ASSOCIATED LANDSCAPING, ON-SITE CAR PARKING, ASSOCIATED INFRASTRUCTURE AND ACCESS TO/FROM THE A272.”

“Proposal This application seeks full planning permission for the demolition of the existing vacant care home building, together with all ancillary outbuildings and structures, and the construction of 30 dwellings. The proposal includes associated landscaping, on-site parking and turning areas, and all necessary infrastructure works, along with the creation of a new vehicular and pedestrian access onto the A272.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The 3.2-hectare site includes a former care home, outbuildings, hardstanding, gardens and open land within the High Weald National Landscape.

“Site and Surroundings The application site is located to the southeast of the A272, to the west of the village of Buxted. It extends to approximately 3.2 hectares and comprises two distinct parcels of land separated by a tree belt running north to south. The larger, eastern parcel contains the former Saxon Court care home, together with ancillary outbuildings, areas of hardstanding, and landscaped gardens.”

Officer report

Planning history

There was no directly relevant planning history, although two homes had permission on adjoining land and pre-application discussions considered about 30 dwellings.

“Relevant Planning History There is no planning history directly relevant to the determination of this application. However, planning permission has been granted for the erection of two dwellings on land immediately to the north of the application site under references WD/2019/1335/O, WD/2023/2512/MRM and WD/2025/0392/FA. The full planning history for the site is available to view on the Council’s online planning register.”

“However, it was also noted that the Council was unable to demonstrate a five-year supply of deliverable housing sites, and therefore, under paragraph 11(d) of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), the presumption in favour of sustainable development would be a material consideration.”

Officer report

Public speakers

No members of the public spoke at the meeting.

The committee vote

Councillors proposed and seconded granting permission in line with the officer recommendation, with an additional eight-week legal-agreement condition.

“A motion was proposed by Councillors Williams, seconded by Councillor Collins to grant full planning permission in line with Officer recommendation subject to an additional condition to have a legal agreement within 8 weeks.”

Minutes

The decision

Full planning permission was granted subject to the report and update conditions, informatives and completion of a Section 106 Agreement within eight weeks.

“RESOLVED: That full planning permission be granted subject to the conditions and informatives outlined in the report and Officer update and subject to completion, within 8 weeks of a Section 106 Agreement.”

Minutes