Burgess Hill councillors help South of Folders Lane Action Group with representation

The decision was made at a meeting of Burgess Hill Town Council on Monday, March 8.

Council leader Robert Eggleston said there was ‘good cross party support’ for instructing an experienced planner and barrister to represent the town at the upcoming event.

He said: “We have argued consistently that development to the south of Folders Lane risks merging Burgess Hill with Hassocks and the continual erosion of this strategic gap is something the council has been concerned about for many years.

“There is a wider town implication because we have only two arterial routes running east to west in Burgess Hill and additional development will only add to congestion, which at times can be severe. Having opposed this development for many years it was only right and proper that we took a stand and decided to back our vocal opposition with financial support for proper representation. While there is no guarantee that we shall win the argument this was the time for the council to demonstrate where we stood on this issue of overdevelopment to the south of the town because failing to do that could mean losing by default.”

Councillors also agreed to set aside funds to oppose a development in the Southway and Skylark Way area because of concerns about its possible impact on ancient woodland.

Keith Sullens of SOFLAG delivered the group’s objection to 350 new homes being built south of Folders Lane to Mid Sussex District Council last autumn. Click here to find out more.