UPDATE: Rejection of 130 Lindfield homes welcomed

Plans for 130 Lindfield homes were rejected by councillors on Thursday.
Lindfield Common. Photo Steve RobardsLindfield Common. Photo Steve Robards
Lindfield Common. Photo Steve Robards

Taylor Wimpey’s application on land off Scamps Hill and Gravelye Lane was refused by Mid Sussex District Council’s District Planning Committee today (Thursday July 14).

Officers had recommended approval arguing that the harm of the scheme to the character of the area and landscape did not outweigh the need for sustainable development under national Government planning guidance.

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But residents and members of the Lindfield Preservation Society have strongly objected to the proposals.

Speakers argued that the new housing would impact upon the Lindfield Common, was in the strategic gap and outside the built up area boundary of the village, while the site was not in the agreed neighbourhood plan.

The committee refused the outline application due to the harm to nearby listed buildings and the fact that it was contrary to policies in the neighbourhood plan.

Afterwards Gil Kennedy, chairman of the Lindfield Preservation Society, said: “Obviously it’s very encouraging we have won another one of these hearings. It shows the district council’s planning committee is taking the neighbourhood plans very seriously as a substantial factor in planning decisions.

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“It also puts a marker down to speculative developers, there is a line they must not cross.”

He added: “We expect an appeal but we think we have solid planning reasons that should carry an appeal as well.”

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