Views split on Woodcote planning application
Graffham Parish Council’s Planning Committee considered planning application SDNP/25/01323/FUL for The Woodcote at its meeting held on 4 February 2026. One councillor was unable to attend due to a family health emergency, and the councillors present were evenly split in their views.
Published: 9 February 2026
Two councillors objected to the proposal, considering that, despite revisions and mitigation, the scale of development remains excessive for a small rural village setting. They felt that the anticipated tourism and economic benefits would be outweighed by increased traffic, potential harm to dark skies and adverse effects on landscape character. Concern was also expressed that biodiversity would inevitably be harmed during construction, regardless of mitigation measures, and that the proposal would result in a material change to the character of the village and its surroundings.
Two councillors supported the proposal, taking the view that the revised scheme has been sensitively designed and is more appropriate to its landscape context than earlier iterations. They considered that, subject to appropriate conditions, the development could represent a positive asset to the village, supporting the long-term viability of The Woodcote and contributing to the local economy by attracting visitors who may also use other village facilities and businesses.
Graffham Parish Council notes that this split view reflects the range of opinions expressed within the village more widely.
Notwithstanding the split position, Graffham Parish Council collectively highlights the importance of ensuring that adequate foul drainage, water supply and electricity provision can be secured. This part of the village is known to experience infrastructure constraints, including frequent power outages, and councillors wish to be assured that the proposal would not exacerbate existing issues for residents or the wider environment.
Graffham Parish Council considers that, if planning permission is granted, the acceptability of the development will depend on robust, precise and enforceable planning conditions to control its scale, intensity and long-term impacts.
For full details on the planning application, see the South Downs National Park Authority’s (SDNPA) planning portal here.
For the SDNPA’s planning officers’ recommendations on the planning application, see the SDNPA website here.