13.1 The Committee considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport. Officers confirmed that a further representation from the applicant’s agent had been received and circulated since the publication of the agenda. The Chair read out the comments of Councillor Bentley, one of the Local Members, in support of the recommendation of refusal.
13.2 Councillor Field, one of the Local Members and member of the Planning Committee, spoke in support of the recommendation of refusal.
13.3 Members have considered the officer’s report together with the comments of the Local Members, and agree with the conclusions and reasons for recommendation as set out in paragraph 7 of the report.
13.4 RESOLVED to refuse planning permission for the following reasons:
1. The proposed development could be located at an alternative site within Kilnwood Farm, thereby negating the need for the importation of a substantial volume of inert waste materials. The use of such materials would not accord with the principles of the waste hierarchy, thereby conflicting with Policy WMP3b of the East Sussex, South Downs and Brighton & Hove Waste and Minerals Plan 2013.
2. The importation of inert waste materials to facilitate the construction of a manege would not be of benefit to the land and would conflict with the requirements of Policy WMP8b of the East Sussex, South Downs and Brighton & Hove Waste and Minerals Plan 2013.
3. The proposed development would result in an adverse effect to the character of the natural topography of the landscape in the Low Weald, which would be significant in the local context, and would conflict with Saved Policy EN8 of the Wealden Local Plan 1998.
4. The proposed surfacing of the access track through Kiln Wood and the increased use of the track by heavy goods vehicles to facilitate the development would be detrimental to the interests of the Ancient Woodland, thereby conflicting with Saved Policy EN13 of the Wealden Local Plan 1998, Policy WMP27b of the East Sussex, South Downs and Brighton & Hove Waste and Minerals Plan 2013 and Part 11 of the National Planning Policy Framework 2012.