Example Objection
SDNP-25-01596-PA3R

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Below is an example letter written to OBJECT to the change of use – FEEL FREE TO COPY AND TAILOR

Reference number – SDNP-25-01596-PA3R

Key Concerns

1. Traffic & Road Safety
   The site is accessed by narrow, single-track lanes with no formal passing places, not suitable for frequent commercial traffic.
2. Loss of Rural Character
   Even a “low-impact” use would erode the agricultural character and set a precedent for further non-agricultural activity.
3. Noise & Disturbance
   Commercial activity in a quiet rural setting risks degrading the tranquillity and enjoyment of the area for residents and visitors.

4. Harm to the South Downs International Dark Sky Reserve

1. Limited Scrutiny Under Class R
   The Prior Approval process moves quickly and does not require full public consultation unless we act now.

In addition to the above there is also the cumulative effect of 2 applications for the same usage class and we fully expect a 3^rd application from another building in the region of the Brickyards Industrial Estate.

1 – Inappropriate for Rural Road Network and Unsafe Access:

The use class proposed is likely to introduce frequent two-way traffic, which is wholly unsuitable for the existing infrastructure. This directly contravenes Policy SD19: Transport and Accessibility, which requires development to avoid harmful impacts on road safety or rural networks, in addition:

Road network

1. Distribution uses typically involve large delivery vehicles, vans, or lorries, unsuited to narrow rural lanes.
2. Increased traffic brings headlight glare, particularly problematic in low ambient light conditions where dark skies are valued.
3. The local highway network lacks the capacity and safety measures needed for increased commercial flows.
4. Any commercial use will inevitably result in increased and more frequent vehicle movements, including deliveries, service vehicles, and staff or customer traffic.

Access

1. The site would be accessed via one of only 3 single-track country lanes with minimal passing places, poor visibility, and limited capacity.
2. The roads have a weight restriction of 7.5 T meaning no vehicles weighing over 7.5 tonnes are allowed to proceed.
   BE AWARE THERE IS NO ENFORCEMENT OF THIS ISSUE
3. The application references restricting access to a specific road – THIS IS UNENFORCEABLE and would be ignored by a GPS
4. Steep Marsh will suffer from significant disruption from increased deliveries and staff access.

Safety

1. These roads are already shared by pedestrians, cyclists, agricultural vehicles, and horse riders, many of whom are vulnerable road users.
2. Emergency access may also be compromised in the event of obstruction by larger vehicles on these lanes.
3. Are dangerous during dark hours due to lack of lighting, passing places, and visibility.
4. The cumulative impact on road safety, congestion at pinch points, and deterioration of verges and surfaces will be significant.
5. There is no realistic prospect of these roads being upgraded or widened due to the area’s environmental constraints and protected status.
6. There are no pavements
7. The speed limit is 60mph – and people drive to fast anyway
8. There have been numerous accidents due to the nature of the roads

We understand that as this will be a commercial property there is a need for fire facilities. Our research suggests that a fire hydrant be located within 100 metres of the building to ensure effective firefighting access. Of note is a further recommendation impling that every external elevation is within 60 metres of a hydrant.

We would highlight there is NO fire hydrant.

2 – Loss of Tranquillity and Rural Character

This proposal sits within the South Downs National Park, a nationally protected landscape designated to preserve:

• Natural beauty
• Wildlife
• Public enjoyment of the countryside
• Cultural heritage and tranquillity
• Dark sky reserve

As such, any development — even under Class R — must still align with the South Downs Local Plan, particularly:

• SD1 – Sustainable Development: All development must conserve and enhance the National Park, natural beauty, wildlife, and tranquillity.
• SD4 – Landscape Character: Changes must not harm the surrounding landscape.
• SD7 – Tranquillity: Development must not introduce intrusive noise or activity.
• SD19 – Transport and Accessibility: Proposals must not compromise road safety or overload unsuitable routes.

The proposal is considered a significant threat to:

• Safety on local narrow, single-track roads
• The peace and character of our rural setting
• Wildlife and visual amenity in a nationally protected landscape

The introduction of commercial distribution operations into a peaceful rural setting will cause:

• Noise and visual disruption, particularly from vehicles and on-site handling.
• Loss of tranquillity, in breach of Policy SD7: Relative Tranquillity.
• Erosion of the agricultural character of the site, contrary to Policy SD4: Landscape Character.

This change is incompatible with the purposes of the National Park, particularly the primary purpose to “conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the area.”

Noise Impacts from Storage and Distribution Use

The proposed change of use to a storage and distribution (B8) facility will unavoidably introduce increased and continuous noise impacts to the surrounding rural environment.

Unlike agricultural use, which tends to be seasonal and concentrated during daylight hours, B8 operations typically involve early morning and late evening vehicle movements, loading and unloading activities, reversing alarms, and door shutter operations — all of which can significantly disrupt local tranquillity.

This is particularly concerning in a National Park context, where the preservation of peace and quiet is a valued amenity. The proposal is therefore in clear conflict with Policy SD7 (Relative Tranquillity) of the South Downs Local Plan, which seeks to conserve areas of relative tranquillity from noise and other intrusive disturbances.

The current assessment is wholly inaccurate current user generated readings reflect “leaves rustling” – reality would suggest a warehouse with all its movements would not be as quiet as leaves rustling.

Harm to the South Downs International Dark Sky Reserve

The South Downs National Park is a designated International Dark Sky Reserve (IDSR), recognised for its exceptionally low levels of light pollution and commitment to preserving nocturnal darkness and the proposed development threatens to undermine this designation.

Storage and distribution use typically entails:

• External security and operational lighting, often including motion-activated or floodlighting.
• Increased vehicular movements during early mornings and evenings, producing headlight glare.
• Light spill from internal lighting and outdoor activities.
• Loss of Natural Darkness: Increased light spill from building interiors, security measures, and yard areas would erode the area’s dark sky status, contrary to SDNP priorities.

These lighting impacts would significantly erode local nocturnal darkness, contrary to Policy SD8: Dark Night Skies of the South Downs Local Plan, which requires:

• Demonstrated necessity for any lighting.
• Minimal intensity and duration.
• Submission of a Lighting Impact Assessment.

No such assessment appears to accompany the application, and no justification has been provided for how light pollution will be prevented. The application therefore fails to comply with SD8 and the Park’s stated commitment to preserving dark skies.

Lack of Local Consultation and Clarity

The Prior Approval process under Class R is relatively fast-moving and allows limited time for formal objections. Many residents feel that this process is ill-suited to decisions affecting sensitive, protected landscapes. There is growing concern that our voices may not be adequately heard before irreversible changes are approved.

Precedents

We would refer to the following very similar applications all of which have been rejected completely for the same reasons

• SDNP/24/01263/FUL
• SDNP/21/02850/FUL
• SDNP/22/05090/FUL

Conclusion

This application represents a significant risk to the environmental integrity and landscape character of the South Downs National Park. It conflicts with several core planning policies, particularly SD1, SD4, SD7, SD8, and SD19 of the South Downs Local Plan, and offers no meaningful evidence or mitigation to address likely impacts. In addition to which it does not address the harm to the South Downs International Dark Sky Reserve.

The application fails to address the reality and unsuitability of the roads and the users of the roads, be they pedestrians, horses and children.

The application does not reflect the reality of the implications to the noise engendered by the usage of the barn as a storage and distribution facility

I respectfully urge the planning authority to refuse this application for prior approval at the very least and refuse the application completely.