AN appeal inspector has upheld the decision by the South Downs National Park Authority to refuse consent for a one-and-a-half-storey rear extension to 1 Gibbs Cottages, an historic cottage in Lickfold.

Inspector Martin Andrews reported: “The appeal application is an amended scheme following a previous refusal.

“The amendments include removal of the south-facing porch canopy, removal of the west elevation porch, and a reduction in the scale of the rear facing dormer. I have taken these efforts to provide a more acceptable scheme into account.

“However, the appeal scheme remains unacceptable to the authority for two main reasons: the effect on the rear elevation and, in particular, the catslide roof, and the loss of historic fabric at ground and first-floor level.

“There is a minor public benefit in the improvement of the housing stock but this would not outweigh the harm caused to the significance of the asset."