The Council said in its decision notice (3-page / 147KB PDF), which was issued in August last year, that because the proposed development's location was based outside the defined built-up area in its Core Strategy, the proposals could not be said to be plan led and would be contrary to the Localism Act and to the National Planning Policy Framework.
It said that the extent and scale of the proposed scheme would cause "significant material harm to the visual character and amenity of the area" and would adversely affect the setting of the Billingshurst Conservation Area and nearby listed buildings.
The decision to refuse the plans was made despite a recommendation by the Council's planning officers to grant permission. The officers said in their report (118-page / 347KB PDF) that the Council's lack of housing supply made it "difficult" to object to the application.
The officers said that they considered the benefits of the proposals, including the provision of community facilities and a spine road, would outweigh the harm to the undeveloped countryside that the scheme would cause.
The development site is one of a number of sites that the Council is considering as a strategic development site in its local plan process.
