Page 276 - All files for Planning Inspectorate

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

2.0 THE APPEAL SITE & SURROUNDING AREA

2.1 The appeal site is located on the south western side of Lewes Road (A22) on the
northern edge of the sizeable village of Ashurst Wood. Ashurst Wood is

approximately 2km to the south east of the centre of East Grinstead. The site is in a

sustainable and accessible location with access to bus routes on the A22 which link the
site to East Grinstead with its railway station with direct links to central London,

shops, community and other facilities. The site is also within walking distance of
local facilities in Ashurst Wood including village shops, primary school and

community facilities.

2.2 The site itself comprises an area of 1.5 hectares. It has a relatively narrow frontage

onto Lewes Road but opens out substantially to the south and west. Located on the
appeal site is a very substantial utilitarian building that was previously occupied by

EDF Energy. The building is partly two storey and partly three storeys. The
building is set back some 70 m from Lewes Road in the central portion of the site and

is surrounding by extensive areas of hardstanding that were previously used as car
parking.

2.3 The access to the site from Lewes Road also serves Wealden House Life Improvement

Centre and adjoining blocks of flats located to the north of the appeal site.

2.4 The appeal site comprises previously developed land (PDL) having regard to the

definition in Annex 2 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) 2019.

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10 December, 2019 Page 6

Bates No 000275