Page 369 - All files for Planning Inspectorate update

be harmful to the character of the area. Paragraph 53 of the NPPF recognises this and
states that policies resisting such development should be considered.

Policy 14 focuses on design and, amongst other criteria, requires suitably sized
gardens and adequate car parking to be provided. This policy supports several
objectives in the High Weald AONB Management Plan.
Parking has been identified as a particular issue in Ashurst Wood. A lack of an
appropriate level of off-street parking in rural areas such as this one can have a
serious impact on narrow lanes. Many of the roads in the village do not have
pavements and on-street parking can be hazardous for pedestrians and other road
users alike. Therefore the policies of the Plan seek to minimise any exacerbation of
the existing problems from new development.

Affordable Housing
New housing developments can be required to include a percentage of affordable
homes. Policy 15 seeks to ensure that all developments make a contribution towards
meeting the need for Affordable Housing in the village as long as this does not make
the scheme unviable.

MSDC has agreed that where new affordable homes are provided within market
developments in parishes located within the AONB that have a Neighbourhood Plan,
the homes will all be made available to people with a local connection for the first
letting. Fifty percent of the homes will be reserved for local people for future lettings.

Affordable housing could
also be provided on a rural
exception site containing
100% affordable homes for
local people. In March 2014,
12 homes for rental by
people with a local
connection were completed
on a rural exception site in
Yewhurst Close. All were
oversubscribed with
particularly high demand
for the one and two
bedroomed units. This
demonstrates the continuing need for affordable homes in Ashurst Wood.

Planning Applications
Any development proposals for sites allocated in this Plan will need to obtain planning
permission from MSDC, which will consider the application against its own policies
and national policies together with the policies of this Plan.

AWNP March 2016 Page 26