The proposal, by virtue of its inappropriate location would not be sustainable development and would not be appropriate or sensitive to the size and role of the settlement of Southwick and its countryside setting. Furthermore, the proposal fails to achieve the criteria set out in policy D17. The proposal is divergent to policies S2, S4, CO1, D2, D14 and D17 of the Local Plan 2011-2032, the National Planning Policy Framework and Planning Practice Guidance.

The occupation of the pods, including the bins, amenity areas and external paraphernalia, in a location unrelated to any existing farm buildings, built form or identified settlement, would be inconsistent with the site's immediate and wider landscape character. Consequently, this would cause material harm to the character and appearance of the area. The proposal therefore fails to comply with Policy D2 and D19 of the Local Plan, the National Planning Policy Framework and Planning Practice Guidance.

The site is in an area of high flood risk and insufficient information has been provided to enable the Local Planning Authority to assess the flood impacts of the change of use. The Local Planning Authority cannot, therefore, be satisfied that the development will be safe for its lifetime taking account of the vulnerability of its users, without increasing flood risk elsewhere and, where possible, reducing the flood risk overall. The application does not demonstrate that the proposal passes either the Sequential Test or the Exception Test set out in section 14 of the National Planning Policy Framework. The Local Planning Authority is not, therefore, satisfied that there are no alternative sites in the area that are reasonably available for development and have a lower probability of flooding, or that the proposal would provide wider sustainability benefits to the community that outweigh the flood risk. Both the IDB and Environment Agency have raised objections on flood risk grounds and given they state the flood risk is in excess of 2 metres and the proposals are for single storey units it is not considered this could be addressed. Additionally the IDB raise objection to the proximity of the pods to the Rhyne which prejudices their ability to maintain the watercourse. The proposed development is, therefore, considered to be at an unacceptable and avoidable risk of flooding, contrary to policy D1 of the Local Plan and paragraphs 170-182 of the National Planning Policy Framework (and the associated Planning Practice Guidance).

The applicant has failed to provide a preliminary ecology survey to ascertain if the proposals may have a negative effect on protected species. As such, the application is considered to fail to comply with policy D20 of the Local Plan and the NPPF.

The proposals do not show the access or parking arrangements within the red line boundary and as such the proposals cannot be considered to benefit from suitable access or parking to facilitate the development. As such the proposals are considered to conflict with Policy D14 of the Local Plan.

There is insufficient information to establish the BNG requirement for the site and the extent to which biodiversity may be affected. As per National Planning Policy Framework (2024), all relevant material considerations have thus not been addressed prior to making the decision. As such, the application is considered to fail to comply with policy D20 of the Local Plan and the NPPF.