Planning Information

Telecomns Tower Proposal Refused Permission
 

 The proposed application for a 20-metre-high telecoms tower on land west of Westmeston Avenue (SDNP/24/01472/PA16) has been refused permission by the South Downs National Park Planning Authority. The Parish Council objected to the proposal as a mast at or near this location would have had a very negative impact on sightlines from all directions. The SDNPA acknowledged in their decision that the plans were in conflict with the recently adopted Neighbourhood Plan policies to protect the green space around the Parish and its wildlife corridors.  See the full decision here

Parish Council Objection to an application for a 20 metre high telcoms tower. 

SDNP/24/01472/PA16

The location of the proposed 20 metre high mast is on land within the South Downs National Park – an area described as being of inspirational beauty that can lift the soul. Rottingdean Parish Council strongly believes that a mast at or near this location would have a very negative impact on sightlines from all directions. This would be at odds with the South Downs National Park Authority’s responsibility for keeping it a special place by conserving and enhancing its natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage.

The land that the proposed mast would be built on is also located within the boundaries of the Rottingdean Parish Neighbourhood Plan. The plan was recently approved after a referendum and subsequently adopted by both South Downs National Park Authority and Brighton & Hove City Council. This means that the Rottingdean Parish Neighbourhood Plan 2018-2030 has been brought into legal force and forms part of the statutory Development Plan for Brighton & Hove. Consequently, decisions in determining planning applications in Rottingdean Parish will be made in accordance with the Neighbourhood Plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise The planning policies within the document operate in parallel with the strategic policies in the South Downs Local Plan and the Brighton & Hove Council City Plan.

The proposed development on this site would contravene two of the plans key policies.

• Policy S2 of the neighbourhood plan that stipulates that development proposals which would detract from the open character and appearance of the rural area will not be supported.
  

• Policy GOS3 that states that proposals for new development which would cause any potential harm to the Wildlife Corridors will not be supported unless they are justified in the public interest and suitable mitigation measures are proposed. This land is a designated Wildlife Corridor within the neighbourhood plan. The corridor is recognised by The Woodland Trust and Sussex Wildlife Trust and the installation of a 7.1metre x 7.1metre concrete pad cut into the downs with a 12metre x 8metre fenced compound around it would cause serious harm to this wildlife corridor.
  

More generally, one of the Core Strategic Objectives of the neighbourhood plan is 'Environment & Biodiversity' The aim of the objective is "To protect and enhance spaces within the Parish, maintaining the strategic gaps which define the village and protect and enhance biodiversity.”

It is considered that the proposal to build a mast at this location, or on any other part of the South Downs National Park contained within the Parish boundary, completely ignores the principles and objectives within the neighbourhood plan and for these reasons, Rottingdean Parish Council would object to the application.

Brighton & Hove City Council remain the 'Local Planning Authority' with reponsibility for deciding applications.

For information on individual applications click here.

To view applications made to the South Downs National Park Authority click here.