A decision by the Secretary of State for Housing to reject a planning appeal for 50 housing units on land at Mitchelswood Farm in Newick has been welcomed by Newick MP Maria Caulfield.
The ongoing planning saga has seen a range of appeals taken to challenge Lewes District Council’s original decision to refuse planning in 2015. The then Secretary of State approved the appeal in 2016, which was then challenged in the High Court and sent back to the Secretary of State and Planning Inspector.
The Planning Inspector has found that the application should now be rejected and the Secretary of State for Housing has agreed.
The Inspector determined that ‘The proposed development would have a seriously damaging impact on the character and appearance of the local landscape, and there would be substantial visual harm to the character and appearance of the landscape and village setting.’
Although the Inspector believed the additional housing carried significant benefits he considered ‘that the adverse impacts of granting permission would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits’ of the extra housing.
Maria Caulfield MP said “This has been a long running saga that would have seen a significant number of houses added to Newick village. I think everyone appreciates the problems we have with housing in this country, but new developments need to be appropriate for the local area, in accordance with Neighbourhood and Local Plans, not just building 50 new properties on a green space.”
“I welcome the Secretary of State’s decision and hope that this will finally be an end to the matter.”
