Jays-Farm Lurgashall, West Sussex

Brief
Batcheller Monkhouse were asked for planning advice following our client’s receipt of an Enforcement Notice relating to unauthorised forestry development. Advice was also sought on additional works needed to assist with forestry operations
The Project
Our client had constructed a forestry track to connect ancient woodland subject to a Forestry Licence with the highway, and an area of hardstanding. Both were constructed without planning permission. Our client sought to regularise the development but after three failed attempts the planning authority (South Downs National Park) served an Enforcement Notice requiring the removal of the track and hard-standing.
Batcheller Monkhouse were asked for advice and having inspected the work that had been carried out recommended lodging an appeal against the Enforcement Notice in respect of the track. We provided detail on the need for the track which included information on the planned woodland and habitat management measures and the dangers of ash tree removal which were showing signs of dieback and necessitated the need for heavy vehicles and equipment to be used for safety reasons.

  • The nature of the boggy soil required surfacing to be laid so that heavy vehicles did not get stuck. The appeal succeeded and the track retained.
  • Our client also wished to erect a forestry building within which to store processed timber awaiting collection, and new lengths of track to connect all parts of the woodland to provide a better surface for forestry vehicles to operate from and along.
  • We advised that all proposed forms of development fell within permitted development and subsequently submitted prior notification applications which were approved in 2020.