Appeal to turn South Downs monument into home is dismissed

Appeal to turn South Downs monument into home is dismissed

December 20, 2021

A Government planning inspector has upheld the Authority’s decision to refuse the conversion of a ruined 240-year-old tower into a private home.

Plans were submitted to the Authority for listed building consent to convert and alter Racton Monument, at Stoughton, near Chichester. The applicant proposed creating a private home with integral garaging, as well as extensions to the ruin, substantial reconstruction of the tower and extensions at ground level and underground. Hard and soft landscaping was proposed, including a new vehicular access from Monument Lane.

The folly was built in 1772 and listed in 1958 as a ruin.

The tower is highly visible from many public vantage points in the area, including from the road network and public bridleways.

The Authority refused the application under delegated powers, stating that the scale, design and appearance of the proposals represented an unsympathetic form of development that would not preserve or enhance the heritage significance of the listed building and its setting.

Dismissing the appeal, Inspector S Edwards said the proposed works would lead to “domestication” of the site.

Given the scale and the building and the absence of a detailed visual impact assessment, she could not be sure the scheme would conserve the natural beauty of the National Park.