DECISION: It be RESOLVED to GRANT (OUTLINE PLANNING)

CONDITIONS:

1.   Before any part of the approved development is commenced approval of the details of the access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale of the site, (hereinafter called "the reserved matters"), shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Development shall be carried out only as approved.

Reason: In accordance with section 92 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended by section 51 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004).

2.   Application for approval of the reserved matters shall be made to the Local Planning Authority before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

Reason: In accordance with section 92 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended by section 51 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004).

3.   The development hereby permitted shall be begun either before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission, or before the expiration of two years from the date of approval of the last of the reserved matters to be approved, whichever is the later.

Reason: In accordance with section 92 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended by section 51 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004).

4.    The site shall not be occupied by any persons other than gypsies and travellers as defined in Annex 1 of DCLG “Planning Policy for Traveller Sites” (revised version published August 2015).

Reason: To comply with Policy BEX3c of the Rother Development and Site Allocations Local Plan 2019.

5.    No more than two static caravans and two tourers, as defined in the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960 and the Caravan Sites Act 1968 shall be stationed on the site at any time.

Reason: To conserve the natural beauty of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in accordance with Policies EN1(i) and LHN6 of the Rother District Local Plan Core Strategy.

6.    No commercial activities shall take place within the site.

Reason: To preserve the amenities of the locality, in accordance with Policy OSS4(ii) of the Rother District Local Plan Core Strategy.

7.    If during development contamination not previously identified or expected is found to be present then no further development (unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority) shall be carried out until the developer has submitted to the Local Planning Authority for approval, a method statement to: identify, risk assess and mitigate the suspected contaminants.

Reason: To prevent pollution of the water environment in accordance with Policy Paragraphs 118, 170 and 178 of the National Planning Policy Framework and Policy OSS3 (viii) of the Rother Local Plan Core Strategy.

8.    Prior to occupation of the development hereby approved, electric services suitable for caravan use shall be installed on site. Electric services shall then be maintained as such throughout the lifetime of this development. No petrol or diesel generators shall be used on the site at any time.

Reason: To safeguard the amenities of the area in accordance with Policies OSS4 (ii) and (iv) of the Rother District Local Plan.

NOTE:

1.    It has been alleged that Japanese knotweed has been buried on this site as part of the North Bexhill Access Road’s construction. While not a public health issue affecting the grant of planning permission, any potential purchaser may wish to investigate this matter further.

NATIONAL PLANNING POLICY FRAMEWORK: In accordance with the requirements of the Framework (paragraph 38) and with the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015, the Local Planning Authority has acted positively and proactively in determining this application by identifying matters of concern within the application (as originally submitted) and negotiating, with the applicant, acceptable amendments to the proposal to address those concerns. As a result, the Local Planning Authority has been able to grant planning permission for an acceptable proposal, in accordance with the presumption in favour of sustainable development, as set out within the National Planning Policy Framework.

(Councillor Barnes declared a Personal Interest in this matter in so far as he was Chairman of Etchingham Parish Council but had not taken part in discussions and in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct remained in the meeting during the consideration thereof).

(Councillor Mrs Barnes declared a Personal Interest in this matter in so far as she was a Member of Etchingham Parish Council but had not taken part in discussions and in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct remained in the meeting during the consideration thereof).

(Councillor Dixon declared a Personal Interest in this matter in so far as he was a Director of Sea Change Sussex and in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct remained in the meeting during the consideration thereof).

(Councillor Mier declared a Personal Interest in this matter in so far as he was a Member of Guestling and Icklesham Parish Councils but had not taken part in discussions and in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct remained in the meeting during the consideration thereof).

(Councillor Prochak declared a Personal Interest in this matter in so far as she was a Member of Robertsbridge and Salehurst Parish Council but had not taken part in discussions and in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct remained in the meeting during the consideration thereof).

(Councillor Vine-Hall declared a Personal Interest in this matter in so far as he was Chairman of Sedlescombe Parish Council but had not taken part in discussions and in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct remained in the meeting during the consideration thereof).