News from the National Park’s host authorities
August 2, 2021
The South Downs National Park is one of the largest planning authorities in the UK in terms of the number of planning applications we receive each year and also one of the largest in terms of the geographical area we cover.
This level of demand has seen new and innovative partnership models to ensure planning-related matters are dealt with as efficiently and effectively as possible.
The Authority has developed successful hosting partnerships with Chichester, East Hampshire, Winchester, Horsham and Lewes Councils. Here are some updates from our host authorities:
Lewes
Recent months have seen several applications for Grade II* listed buildings and an opportunity to work closely with Historic England, with three consents within the National Park.
Firstly, the team oversaw a listed building consent on 111 High Street, Lewes in five weeks. The case required an urgent replacement of rotten timber columns as the building was at risk and being supported with acrow props.
The team also issued a timely consent at Charleston Farmhouse for a Covid-secure route for visitors, along with associated alterations in time for the lifting of restrictions for visitor attractions on 17 May. The interior contains an important series of mural and furniture decorations by the Bloomsbury group.
Finally, various works were approved at Plumpton Place, including a revised tunnel layout to preserve historic fabric which would otherwise have been removed, to facilitate the display of historic and archaeological artefacts found during a recent excavation.
Chichester
In October 2020, Chichester District Council, on behalf of the Authority, refused planning permission and listed building consent for the change of use and alteration of the former YMCA Conference Centre, at Dunford House, West Lavington, to a single dwelling. Dunford House was the former home of Sir Richard Cobden, the former politician best known for his fight for the repeal (1846) of the Corn Laws and his defence of free trade. Until very recently Dunford House housed the ‘Cobden Collection’, a collection of artefacts related to Cobden’s time as a politician and his life in Sussex.
Appeals against the refusal of both applications have now been received and will be decided in the next few weeks by the Planning Inspectorate.
Given the history of the site and its association with Sir Richard Cobden, it is likely there will be a significant amount of local interest in the outcome of the appeals.
Horsham
Planning consent has been granted for an application at Drewitts Farm, in Church Street, Amberley.
Planning permission had been sought for a small mixed commercial and residential development making use of former agricultural facilities within the Amberley settlement boundary. Council officers worked closely with the applicants to develop a heritage-led scheme, which successfully redressed several previous unsympathetic additions and alterations within a historic agricultural yard and improved views out of the Amberley Conservation Area towards the Downs.
The creation of three small commercial units and a single one-bedroom dwelling through conversion and limited new construction was considered to perform well against housing and economic policy contained within the South Downs Local Plan and the Neighbourhood Plan, and to secure an overall significant social, economic and landscape benefit.
Winchester
Good news from our friends at Winchester!
Winchester City Council is delighted to work in partnership with the South Downs National Park team. Together we’re making really positive in-roads to rural diversification. Working collaboratively in this way makes us feel proud to be a part of a wider team, creating a real positive impact on the environment we live in. And to have the National Park as one’s office is a beautiful bonus…
We’re pleased to be able to report a good news story from the Legal and Planning Enforcement teams. After several years of action against people unlawfully occupying an area of land in the South Downs National Park, the High Court ruled in our favour and the occupants were ordered to move from the site. This was a case that spanned over three years, and demonstrates the resilience of our team. Mr Justice Cavanagh praised our “reasonable approach” in his summing up.
We’re proud of our team’s patience throughout the past three years. This was a real case of dedication paying off!
East Hampshire
Read the council’s update here about a prosecution for breaching planning laws.
