The Sheriffs, Sheriffs Lane, Rotherfield, TN6 3JE

1. 1.The proposed conversion of the buildings into a residential dwelling, by reason of the extent of the works required to facilitate the conversion and the design including fenestration and changes to the roof structure and materials, would result in inappropriate and over-domestic structure that would harm the visual amenity and character of the main two-storey building. It would therefore fail to conserve or enhance the landscape character of the High Weald National Landscape. The proposal conflicts with Saved rural exception Policy DC8 of the Wealden Local Plan 1998, therefore, the proposal constitutes a new dwelling, outside the development boundary whereby new housing is resisted and where there is limited access to day-to-day services other than by private car. The site does not constitute a sustainable location for new housing. These matters would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the small contribution to the Councils five-year housing land supply. The proposal is therefore contrary to Saved Policies GD2, EN1, DC8, EN6 and EN27 of the Wealden Local Plan 1998, Spatial Planning Objectives SPO1 and SPO13 and Policies WCS6 and WCS14 of the Wealden Core Strategy Local Plan 2013, and the requirements of the NPPF including paragraph 189, in addition to advice in the Wealden Design Guide 2008, adopted Supplementary Planning Document, Chapter 2 part 2 and Chapter 11 parts 2, 3 & 4, and Objectives S1 and S3 of the High Weald Management Plan.
2. 2.The proposed garage, by reason of the size, scale, height and design, would result in inappropriate and over-dominant structure that would harm the visual amenity and character of the existing buildings and site, falling within the High Weald National Landscape, and would therefore fail to conserve or enhance the landscape character of the High Weald National Landscape. The proposal would therefore conflict with requirements of Saved Policies GD2, DC8, EN6 and EN27 of the Wealden Local Plan 1998, Spatial Objective SPO13 and Policy WCS14 pdnRS.docx of the adopted Wealden Core Strategy Local Plan 2013, the National Planning Policy including paragraph 189 and Objectives S1 and S3 of the High Weald Management Plan.
3. 3.The application site lies within 7Km of the Ashdown Forest Special Protection Area (SPA) and is likely to have a significant adverse impact upon the SPA as a result of recreational impact caused by intensified residential occupation within the zone of influence of the SPA. The application has not demonstrated through an appropriate mechanism that it can achieve the necessary mitigation measures in respect of the increased recreational pressures it is likely to bring on the SPA. In the absence of such committed measures to offset the impact of the development, the proposal is contrary to Saved Policies EN1 and EN15 of the Wealden Local Plan 1998; Core Policy WCS12 of the Wealden District Core Strategy Local Plan 2013; and Regulation 63 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (as amended). 4.

From the council's decision notice.

Postcode

TN6 3JE

Application type

Full

Scale / size

Small

Parish

Rotherfield

Date validated

23 December 2025

Consultation expiry

2 February 2026

Consultation start

12 January 2026

Consultation end

2 February 2026

Target decision date

17 February 2026

Agent address

York Cottage Major Yorks Road Royal Tunbridge Wells Kent TN2 5TP

Statutory period

56 days

Site notice start

12 January 2026

UPRN

100060110167

Documents

20