Page 273 - All files for Planning Inspectorate

Statement of Case
EDF Energy, Wealden House, Lewes Road, Ashurst Wood

1.3 The application was a revised application following the refusal of an earlier scheme

for 71 units on the site. The revised scheme sought to address and overcome the

reasons for refusal of the earlier scheme. In addition, whereas the earlier scheme had
been policy compliant in respect of the provision of affordable housing, the substantial

reduction in the number of dwellings in the revised scheme and the consequential

viability analysis meant that, given the significant existing/benchmark land value, the
revised scheme could not demonstrate compliance with affordable housing policy and

remain viable.

1.4 The various assessments submitted with the application did not identify any overriding
planning policy or other technical objection. Moreover, the appellant was aware that

there was Development Plan policy support for the residential redevelopment of the

site, as the site is allocated for development of 50+ units in the Ashurst Wood
Neighbourhood Plan. Accordingly, the residential redevelopment of the site is in

compliance with Policy ASW9 of the Neighbourhood Plan (NP) and Policy DP6 of
the Mid Sussex District Plan (DP).

1.5 There was continuing discussion with Council Officers during the processing of the

application relating mainly to affordable housing and parking matters which were
issues that the appellant had hoped had been resolved as a result of further

submissions by the appellant’s Viability Consultant and Transport Consultant,
particularly as, in relation to parking, no objection had been raised by the Highway

Authority.

1.6 However, the Council’s Head of Planning reported the application to the District

th
Planning Committee on the 19 September 2019 with a recommendation that the
application be refused. A copy of the Officer’s Report is attached at APPENDIX 1.

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10 December, 2019 Page 3

Bates No 000272