The situation
A former farm site in Broad Oak, deep within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, had potential for two new homes: the conversion of a former dairy building into a three-bedroom house, and the replacement of an existing mobile home with a permanent bungalow. The site’s access lane was narrow, with poor visibility in places, and the proposals faced opposition from local residents and committee members.
The approach
Batcheller Monkhouse worked with Wealden District Council and East Sussex County Council to resolve the access concerns by introducing passing bays along the lane, securing these through a planning condition rather than a more costly and time-consuming legal agreement. The team then made the case at Planning Committee that both proposals would genuinely improve the character of the AONB, rather than harm it.
The outcome
The committee agreed, granting permission for both schemes despite opposition from local members and residents. It was a result achieved against a difficult backdrop too, with Covid-related disruption and local authority staffing pressures adding extra delay to an already sensitive process.
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