Castle Hill House, Castle Hill, Rotherfield, TN6 3RR

1. 1.The works, which include excavation of drainage channels, new pipework and the introduction and compaction of significant quantities of mixed hardcore materials is an inappropriate and unsympathetic addition in an area of Ancient Woodland and Deciduous Woodland Priority Habitat. The works would likely have resulted in deterioration of Ancient Woodland, an irreplaceable habitat. The application is not supported by an ancient woodland impact assessment to demonstrate otherwise and therefore a precautionary approach has been taken. There are no exceptional reasons for the proposal as required by Paragraph 193 (c) of the National Planning Policy Framework and no suitable compensation strategy exists. The works are contrary to Natural England and the Forestry Commission's standing advice with regard to ancient woodland, Saved Policy EN13 of the adopted Wealden Local Plan 1998, Policies WCS12 and WCS14 of the adopted Wealden District Council Core Strategy Local Plan 2013, and therefore should be refused.
2. 2.The introduction of hardcore and MOT type 1 material has formalised, widened and raised a previously unmade woodland track. This has materially altered the character of the track and resulted in visual harm to the inherently rural site and woodland settin g, failing to conserve and enhance the High Weald National Landscape. There is insufficient justification to show that the track upgrade works are necessary. The application therefore conflicts with Saved Policies EN6 and EN27 of the Wealden Local Plan 1998; Policies SPO1 and SPO13 of the Wealden Core Strategy 2013 and paragraphs 135, 187 and 189 of the National Planning Policy Framework.
3. 3.The application site is within the red impact risk zones for great crested newts. There is insufficient information to assess impacts of the development upon great crested newts and their habitat, and the Council is unable to sufficiently determine whether the development has resulted in any adverse impacts to biodiversity and the favourable conservation status of great crested newts and their habitat, or whether compensatory measures are required. In the absence of information to the contrary, the proposal does not accord with paragraphs 187 and 193 of the National Planning Policy Framework and policy WCS12 of the Core Strategy 2013, and the requirements of the Conservation and Habitats Species Regulations 2017 (as amended). pdnRS.docx 4.

From the council's decision notice.

Postcode

TN6 3RR

Application type

Full - Retrospective

Scale / size

Small

Parish

Rotherfield

Date validated

1 December 2025

Consultation expiry

10 January 2026

Consultation start

17 December 2025

Consultation end

10 January 2026

Target decision date

26 January 2026

Agent address

Ms Gillian Fensome 3 Massetts Road Horley Surrey RH6 7PR

Statutory period

56 days

Site notice start

17 December 2025

Documents

18