Plans to convert historical monument into home on Chichester border refused

By Sam Morton
Published 3rd Sep 2020, 15:34 BST
The owner of Racton Monument, based in Hares Lane, near Stoughton had requested planning permission to convert the Grade II Listed, derelict folly. The application was turned down on the grounds that the change-of-use would represent an ‘unsympathetic form of development’ SUS-200309-153143001The owner of Racton Monument, based in Hares Lane, near Stoughton had requested planning permission to convert the Grade II Listed, derelict folly. The application was turned down on the grounds that the change-of-use would represent an ‘unsympathetic form of development’ SUS-200309-153143001
The owner of Racton Monument, based in Hares Lane, near Stoughton had requested planning permission to convert the Grade II Listed, derelict folly. The application was turned down on the grounds that the change-of-use would represent an ‘unsympathetic form of development’ SUS-200309-153143001

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Plans to convert a monument, dating back to the 1700s, into a residential dwelling have been turned down.

The owner of Racton Monument, based in Hares Lane, near Stoughton had requested planning permission to convert the Grade II Listed, derelict folly.

However, the South Downs National Park Authority has refused the application, on the grounds that the change-of-use would represent an ‘unsympathetic form of development’, due to the intended scale, design and appearance.

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A spokesperson for the planning authority said: “[It] would not preserve or enhance the heritage significance of the listed building and its setting.

The owner of Racton Monument, based in Hares Lane, near Stoughton had requested planning permission to convert the Grade II Listed, derelict folly. The application was turned down on the grounds that the change-of-use would represent an ‘unsympathetic form of development’ SUS-200309-153133001The owner of Racton Monument, based in Hares Lane, near Stoughton had requested planning permission to convert the Grade II Listed, derelict folly. The application was turned down on the grounds that the change-of-use would represent an ‘unsympathetic form of development’ SUS-200309-153133001
The owner of Racton Monument, based in Hares Lane, near Stoughton had requested planning permission to convert the Grade II Listed, derelict folly. The application was turned down on the grounds that the change-of-use would represent an ‘unsympathetic form of development’ SUS-200309-153133001

“The proposed works to the building would detract from its special architectural and historic interest and its setting, and would not make a positive contribution to the area and the cultural heritage of the National Park.

“Furthermore, the proposal would result in less than substantial harm to the listed building and no sufficient public benefit has been demonstrated to outweigh this harm.”

It was also stated that ‘insufficient information’ had been provided to justify the impact of the proposals.

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The application had been submitted by Mark Talbot, who has owned the monument since 1987.

The owner of Racton Monument, based in Hares Lane, near Stoughton had requested planning permission to convert the Grade II Listed, derelict folly. The application was turned down on the grounds that the change-of-use would represent an ‘unsympathetic form of development’ SUS-200309-153153001The owner of Racton Monument, based in Hares Lane, near Stoughton had requested planning permission to convert the Grade II Listed, derelict folly. The application was turned down on the grounds that the change-of-use would represent an ‘unsympathetic form of development’ SUS-200309-153153001