Page 278 - All files for Planning Inspectorate

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

3.0 RELEVANT PLANNING HISTORY

3.1 The planning history would appear to indicate that the existing building was originally
erected in the 1970s as the Grid Control Centre for Seeboard. In 1977 a two storey

building was approved as an apparatus control room and data link room. Numerous

applications for extensions, security accommodation, extensions to the car park and
telecommunication towers and equipment were approved over the next 35 years.

3.2 Latterly, the building functioned as the operational control room, data centre and

offices for EDF Energy.

3.3 The site is now vacant.

3.4 Although there was no formal application for residential development prior to the

submission of the appeal scheme, pre-application advice was sought from the Council
in 2016 for a scheme of 90 units on the site with a mixture of housing and apartments.

The Officer’s advice from the Council raised a number of issues and, having regard to
this advice, a formal application was submitted for a scheme of 71 units on the site

which the appellant believed addressed the previously raised issues.

3.5 However, this application (DM/18/1548) was refused was the subject of an appeal –

APP/D3830/W/19/3236068, although this has now been withdrawn

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10 December, 2019 Page 8

Bates No 000277