Current planning applications
The parish council has no planning powers (the planning authority is Rother District Council), but it does have a statutory right to be consulted. Indeed, the planning authority seeks comments from the parish council to gauge local feeling. However, it is Rother’s core strategy (see notes below) which sets the criteria against which all applications are judged and the parish council supports that strategy.
Here are details of planning applications in the recent past. To view more details, click the reference number of any entry below. You will also then see a direct link to that application on Rother District Council’s planning portal. Applications which have been decided will be removed periodically from this page but continue to be available at the district council’s planning portal.
RR/2019/1694/P 23 Oct 2019
Brays Hill Farm House, Brays Hill, Ashburnham TN33 9NZ
Two storey extension to rear of property and first floor side extension. Internal re modelling of kitchen and bedroom. Construction of detached double garage with storage space above. Alternative to RR/2018/1400/P.
Due by 28 Nov 2019
Due by 18 Dec 2019
RR/2019/1569/P 29 Jul 2019
Ashburnham Place, (The Boat House), Ashburnham TN33 9NF
Conversion of existing redundant boat house and ancillary shed to overnight accommodation
Neutral but commented
Approved Conditional
RR/2019/1498/P 19 Jun 2019 (updated 31 Oct 2019)
Buckwell Ghyll, Lakehurst Lane, Ashburnham, TN33 9PE
Change of use of existing care farm facility into a school.
Supported with conditions
Due by 14 Aug 2019
RR/2019/1242/P 3 Jun 2019 (updated 31 Oct 2019)
The White Cottage, Brown Bread Street, Ashburnham TN33 9NX
Detached single garage at side of house
Neutral but commented
Approved Conditional
RR/2019/1147/P 24 May 2019 (updated 31 Oct 2019)
St Michael the Archangel Church, Penhurst Lane, Penhurst TN33 9QP
Re-surface and regrade the path to the church west entrance to provide a level access.
Supported
Approved Conditional
RR/2019/855/P 10 Apr 2019 (updated 31 Oct 2019)
Bunces Farm, Lakehurst Lane, Penhurst TN33 9PG
Proposed new barn for storage of machinery and meadow hay.
Neutral but commented
Refused
No outcome
RR/2018/2316/PP 25 Oct 2018 (updated 31 Oct 2019)
Peans Farm, Penhurst TN33 9QR
Single storey oak framed orangery extension to west elevation and replacement of existing window with door to north elevation.
Opposed
Approved Conditional
ENF/107/18/ASH 16 Jul 2018 (updated 31 Oct 2019)
Oak Bank Farm, Farthing Lane, Ashburnham, Battle, TN33 9PB
Breach of condition of RR/2012/1053/P
Supported
No decision yet
Prosecution
Breaches and enforcement
Whenever Rother District Council (the Planning Authority) becomes aware or is made aware of a breach of planning regulations it investigates and, if it thinks there is a case to answer, it creates a Notice of Breach. This might lead to an Enforcement Order or to a No Further Action (not in the public interest) decision. The Parish Council is notified weekly of new notices and updates on existing ones. RDC planning portal does not enable the public to search these (though you can search Planning Appeals) and the Parish Council does not publish them here either. However, they are always reported in full to Parish Council meetings and the minutes are in the public domain and may be inspected here..
Need planning permission?
If you are thinking about carrying out any work on your property, please read these notes on Planning Permission, Listed Building Consent and Tree Felling before starting work.
Our local planning authority is Rother District Council (RDC). The Parish Council does not have any authority to grant planning permission, but it does have a statutory right to be consulted about Planning and Listed Building Consent applications made within the parish. The statutory time limit for responses from the parish council is 21 days, although RDC will often agree to an extension of the time limit.
Planning Permission is required before you build something new, make any major change to a building, change its appearance or change its use. If work is done without permission you risk receiving an enforcement notice from RDC ordering you to reverse the changes that have been made.
Bear in mind that permitted development rights are extremely complex and heavily restricted in our Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. RDC’s Planning Handbook is very helpful, as is RDC’s detailed Core Strategy. If you’re not sure whether planning permission is needed, you can submit a planning enquiry to Rother District Council.
Listed Building Consent is required for all proposed changes to listed buildings. The carrying out of unauthorised works on listed buildings is a criminal offence.
Tree Felling requires 6 weeks’ advance notice to be given to Rother District Council, giving the authority time to impose a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) if appropriate. Even where there is no TPO, there are fairly low limits on the amount of timber that may be felled without a licence. It is always best to ask first.