Averys Nurseries, Lower Clayhill
Application LW/20/0011
Averys Nurseries, Lower Clayhill
Outline application for some workspace units & 53 houses.
Application Update: REFUSED by LDC 7th April 2022
The reasons for the Council’s decision to refuse the above works are
specified hereunder.
1. It is considered that the location of the development, isolated
from basic facilities, with no footpath linkage and reliance on private
motor vehicles, would result in an unsustainable development contrary
to LLP1 policies CP7 and CP13, LLP2 policy DM25 and NPPF para 12, 14,
105, 110, 124 and 152.
2. The proposed development, through its lack of employment
floorspace and predominance of housing would result in the loss of an
identified employment site, identified for employment use within the
Ringmer Neighbourhood Plan Site EMP20, and would therefore be
contrary to that designation and Policy 5.1 of the Ringmer
Neighbourhood Plan , Policies CP4 and DM10 of the Lewes District
Local Plan, and NPPF section 6 para 85
- Car-dependent commuter housing – promotes climate change
- Site allocated for employment use in the Ringmer Neighbourhood Plan; suitable for employment use (close to A26 for HGV) but remote from other village services needed by residents, such as doctors, schools, community facilities, etc
- There is a large and unmet demand for employment space at locations such as this, as very well illustrated by the new development at the less-well-located Bridge Farm, Barcombe Mills, where high-quality new units have been let as fast as they can be constructed
- The Ringmer Neighbourhood Plan is employment-led, to improve sustainability by reducing the need to commute (key RNP policy 3.2). Using allocated employment sites for housing would completely undermine this key policy
- Residential development at such a car-dependent site would create much more additional traffic than employment use. The additional traffic would impact on the inadequate capacity at A26 junctions at Lewes such as Earwig Corner, Church Lane, Snail roundabout, Southerham roundabout)
- Negative landscape impact, introducing starkly suburban housing into the countryside
- No sustainable travel route to Ringmer
- Village primary school full: no places for children
- Point to precedent of Croudace 2016 appeal
- Point to precedent of Woods Farm, Newick, 2021 appeal
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