Cllr. Dee Simson and Cllr. Steve Bell

BH2022/01584 – 25 Drove Road

12^th May 2022:

We are writing on behalf of and to support the many local residents who have contacted us to object to this planning application.

Since the current owner bought the freehold of the site, several years ago, there have been ongoing complaints about its use which has caused serious nuisance to those living close to the site and also danger to those using Drove Road for recreation.

There has already been a breach of its permitted use by allowing different businesses to use the site, including scaffold storage, and a mobile home and other structures have been placed there without permission.

Many mature trees have also been removed thus changing the landscape and widening the entrance, encouraging increased vehicle use which often travels at speed.

At one point we had to arrange an on-site meeting with a planning officer from SDNP and the residents, which culminated in enforcement action.

Whilst the land is ideal for grazing horses and a limited number of stables, there should be no permitted use of any kind for residential or subsidiary businesses there.

It has been shown that the site is not suitable because of its location nestling in the South Downs National Park.

We ask that you refuse this application on the grounds that it will seriously affect neighbouring properties on the edge of the SDNP and their ability to have quiet enjoyment of their homes and also cause danger to the many walkers and cyclists enjoying the Drove Road path through the park.

The location is not suitable for a development of this kind, especially the mobile home.