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 recent planning applications. To view full 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 but continue to be available at the district council’s planning portal.
RR/2018/350/P 21 Feb 2018
Brigden Hill Farm, The Barn, Farthing Lane, Ashburnham TN33 9PB
Hard surfaced tennis court for private use with surrounding fence and associated landscaping.
No position taken
Due by 18 Apr 2018
RR/2017/2344/P 31 Oct 2017 (updated 1 Jan 2018)
The White Cottage, Brownbread Street, Ashburnham TN33 9NX
Detached garage and hard standing
Opposed
Refused
RR/2017/2343/P 23 Oct 2017 (updated 1 Jan 2018)
The White Cottage, Brownbread Street, Ashburnham TN33 9NX
Two story extension and alterations
Opposed
Approved Conditional
RR/2017/1879/P 15 Oct 2017 (updated 11 Dec 2017)
Naulakha, Lakehurst Lane, Ashburnham TN33 9PE
Erection of holiday let and use of caravan as holiday let.(Retrospective)
Neutral but commented
Approved Conditional
RR/2017/1522/P 10 Jul 2017 (updated 1 Jan 2018)
Oak Bank Farm, Farthing Lane, Ashburnham, TN33 9PB
Temporary agricultural worker's dwelling
Supported with conditions
Refused
RR/2017/1046/P 18 May 2017 (updated 23 Jul 2017)
Naulakha, Lakehurst Lane, Ashburnham, TN33 9PE
Use as dwelling house (currently holiday lets).
Opposed
Refused
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.