24 homes with landscaping at Two Oaks, Chiddingly Road, Horam

What was proposed

The application sought reserved matters approval for 24 homes, including 35% affordable housing, with roads, parking, landscaping and open space.

“Proposal At Planning Committee South on 7 September 2023, under application reference WD/2020/0950/MAO, Members resolved to grant outline planning permission for the erection of up to 24 dwellings (including 35% affordable housing), together with new vehicular accesses, landscaping and associated infrastructure, subject to the completion of a Section 106 Agreement.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The 1.58-hectare site lies south west of Horam beside Chiddingly Road and includes an existing dwelling, fields, ponds, hedges and trees.

“Site and Surroundings The application site is located to the south west of the village of Horam, approximately 900 metres from the village centre to the east side of the Chiddingly Road. It is approximately 600 metres from the Village Hall.”

Officer report

Earlier planning permission

Outline permission for up to 24 homes was granted in November 2023 after committee consideration, with access approved and other matters reserved.

“Relevant Planning History WD/2020/0950/MAO – Outline planning permission was granted on 8 November 2023 for the erection of up to 24 dwellings (including 35% affordable housing), together with new vehicular accesses, landscaping and associated infrastructure. Approval was granted with all matters reserved except for access, subject to conditions and a Section 106 Agreement.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval, considering the development an acceptable, cohesive and well-designed scheme that would not cause unacceptable harm.

“This Reserved Matters application seeks approval for appearance, landscaping, layout and scale, and it is considered that the proposed development delivers an acceptable scheme which responds appropriately to the site and its surroundings.”

“The development has been assessed against relevant policies of the Development Plan, including the saved policies of the Wealden Local Plan (1998), the Wealden Core Strategy Local Plan (2013) and the Horam Neighbourhood Plan, together with the design principles of the National Planning Policy Framework, the National Design Guide and the Wealden Design Guide.”

Officer report

What consultees said

The Highway Authority, flood, water, housing and arboricultural consultees raised no objections after amendments, while biodiversity consultees sought further ecological information.

“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 Highway Authority - No objection, subject to conditions.”

“The updated report does not include refreshed species-specific surveys and therefore does not verify the continued validity of the earlier survey data. • The ecological information is considered to be outdated and insufficient to reliably reflect current site conditions or to support a robust assessment of ecological impacts.”

Officer report

Objections and concerns

Four households raised concerns about trees, ecology, design, policy compliance, highways, construction, amenity, drainage, services and housing provision.

“Trees and Ecology • Impact on protected trees, including identified TPO trees (referenced as T7 and T8) and a notable tree (T38), including potential encroachment within root protection areas and the effect on long‑term tree health. • Potential presence of protected species, whether proposed biodiversity net gain (BNG) mitigation is sufficient, and whether such mitigation would be delivered in practice.”

“Infrastructure and Site Conditions • Local sewer capacity, reports of overflows, ground conditions and the suitability of drainage, including reference to issues experienced on nearby developments. • Impact on local services, including GP provision. Other Matters Raised • A preference for a higher proportion of affordable housing, including the view that development should be 100% affordable. • Queries regarding the type, mix and tenure of housing proposed.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Two Horam Parish Council councillors spoke against the application, while a planning consultant spoke in favour.

The committee vote

Councillors Owen-Williams and Draper proposed and seconded approval, and the motion was carried using the Chair’s casting vote.

“A motion was proposed by Councillors Owen-Williams seconded by Councillor Draper to approve reserved matters in line with Officer recommendation. The Chair had the casting vote. This motion was carried.”

Minutes

The decision

Reserved matters were approved in line with the officer recommendation, subject to the conditions and informatives in the report and officer update.

“That reserved matters be approved in line with Officer recommendation subject to the conditions and informatives outlined in the report and the Officer update.”

Minutes