The Woodland Trust is using the newly strengthened National Planning Policy Framework to fight proposals for a self-build country home by tennis player Johanna Konta.

Under the new NPPF, councils must refuse development that isn’t considered “wholly exceptional” if it will result in the loss or deterioration of irreplaceable habitats.

Konta has already had one planning application rejected on the grounds that the house would be unduly dominant and significantly harmful to the character of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in East Sussex.

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