Conversion refused

His application had been supported by Heathfield and Waldron parish councillors but Wealden officers recommended refusal.

The parish councillors had all declared a personal interest in the application because the applicant was the son of fellow councillor John Chambers. They supported the application because it 'made use of redundant barns as housing for a worker on the farm'.

In a report to the Wealden development control, south, sub-committee meeting last week officers said the application sought to convert three buildings at Heronsdale Manor, Moat Lane, to a dwelling and demolish two other buildings.

The farm was run in partnership by father and son Mr John and Mr Matthew Chambers. Both lived at the manor but Mr Matthew Chambers, the farm manager wanted separate accommodation for himself and his family on site.

Councillors were advised that there were two main policy principles relevant to the application, the agricultural justification for the new dwelling and whether the conversion of the building to a dwelling met the relevant planning policy criteria. It failed on both counts.

The report to planners said the rural estates consultant considered there was insufficient agricultural justification to warrant a new dwelling on the farm and that existing dwellings on the holding were appropriately located to enable continued care of livestock.