A bid to establish a new wild burial site has been rejected following an appeal hearing.

The project was put forward for a parcel of land at Spring Acres on West End Lane in Henfield, and was dismissed after officials raised doubts about whether it was appropriate, specifically regarding how it would affect the rural setting and visual quality of the area.

The plans involved converting the land from horse-related use to a natural burial ground, along with the creation of a car parking zone, a one-storey pavilion, landscape improvements, a pond, wildflower grassland and fresh tree planting.

The applicants submitted an appeal after Horsham District Council neglected to issue a ruling on the application within the required timeframe.

Nevertheless, in its appeal submission, the council stated it would have turned down planning permission had a formal decision been made in time.

A planning inspector examined the location on April 1 and concluded that the scheme ought to be turned down.

In dismissing the appeal, the inspector cited policies within the district council’s planning guidelines that only permit countryside development when it satisfies particular requirements.

The inspector determined that the scheme would rely almost wholly on private vehicle travel and observed that no thorough assessment had been provided to justify the design of the proposed structure or the arrangement of the grounds.

A report on the matter stated that the building, vehicle parking and structured arrangement, together with the activity generated, would all stand in opposition to the area’s countryside and peaceful nature.

Taken together, this would result in a localised harmful effect on the area’s character and visual appeal.

The report further noted that no compelling evidence was presented to demonstrate the site was the sole viable location for a burial ground or that no more suitable alternatives existed, and the damage to the area would be considerable and permanent.