Wealden Councillors Approve Stables Conversion

Plans to convert a set of rural stables into housing have been approved by Wealden councillors.

On Thursday (April 10), Wealden District Council’s Planning Committee North resolved to approve proposals to convert a group of stable buildings at Manor Farmhouse in Bells Yew Green Road, near Frant.

The scheme, from applicants Ms I Brickell and Mr E and Mrs L Peate, will see the existing building converted into six dwellings — made up of three one-bedroom properties, two two-bedroom properties and a single three-bedroom property.

Council planning officers had recommended the scheme be refused, citing concerns around the sustainability of the site’s location and the impact of development on the High Weald National Landscape (HWNL)

However, the proposals had the support of ward councillor Johanna Howell (Con), who argued the site was more sustainable and better connected than officers had judged it to be.

Cllr Howell said:

“I have lived in Frant for over 30 years and … just yesterday I saw two gentlemen walking down the Bells Yew Green Road from Frant, probably to go to the pub, who knows.

“Commuters ride their bikes down the road to catch the station … and there are people who walk down this footpath. It is sustainable. We have shops and pubs and a station which are used and walked and ridden to.

“I would like to ask that this committee approve the use of these redundant buildings.

"This should really be done in the [HWNL] as opposed to building on any new greenfield sites.”

In her initial submission, Cllr Howell had also pointed to evidence from the applicants’ structural engineer around the convertibility of the existing buildings.

This was significant as part of the officers’ recommendation had also been based on the quality of the existing buildings.

In short, officers had raised doubts about whether the buildings were “substantial” enough for the development to really be considered to be a conversion.

However, the majority of the committee were supportive of the proposals and opted to grant planning permission despite the officers’ recommendation.

As the scheme had been recommended for refusal, permission was granted on the basis that officers would work up a series of conditions to ensure the scheme was delivered in the most appropriate way.

The committee heard officers would seek a legal agreement to secure a financial contribution for the provision of off-site affordable housing.

The committee discussed deferring the plans in order to have sight of the conditions before making their decision, but ultimately decided to leave these negotiations to officers.

For further information see application reference WD/2024/1329/F on the Wealden District Council website.