Lindfield homes on former school site turned down

The application from CCH Build Solutions Ltd to develop the former Tavistock and Summerhill School site, was discussed by Mid Sussex District Council’s planning committee on Thursday (August 13).

The need for housing on the site was accepted by all but the design of the three blocks of flats did not go down well with councillors or residents.

John Dabell (Con, East Grinstead – Town) said: “It would look fantastic somewhere else.

“I would challenge the developers to go away and produce something far, far better than these shoe boxes shoved in this place.”

Council leader Jonathan Ash-Edwards agreed, calling on the committee to ‘send the applicants away to produce something that would be more in keeping for the future of this site’.

He added: “Not a single resident I’ve spoken to objects to this site being developed.

“They do object to this scheme because of its bulk, its scale and design that is of poor quality in many respects, and completely contrary to the character and appearance of this area.”

The application was for 18 one-bedroom flats, 16 two-bedroom flats and four five-bedroom house, with 10 of the homes classed as affordable.

A report from planning officers recommended approving the plans, even though the new homes would be ‘markedly different’ from those surrounding the site.

This was where the problem lay.

Andrew Lea (Con, Lindfield) said the development breached planning policies in a number of ways, including its impact on the character of the area and the local residents.

Describing it as ‘overdevelopment’ and ‘overbearing’, he added: “The size and density of this scheme shows complete disregard for the village setting and the character of the village.”

There were words of warning from Andrew MacNaughton (Con, Ardingly & Balcombe) who said the housing didn’t cover anywhere near enough of the site to be considered overdevelopment.

Mr MacNaughton advised members to ‘watch what you pray for’ and pointed out that the application included a lot of green space.

He added: “This one is doing more to protect its neighbours than a lot of extra houses on there will be able to do.”

Members voted by seven to two to refuse the plans on the grounds that the design was unacceptable for that site.

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