Fresh bid for 180 new homes at Willingdon

Developers have already had plans to build 800 homes and a new medical centre on Hindsland Playing Field and Mornings Mill Farm – off the A2270 main road heading towards Polegate – thrown out by both Wealden planners and a government inspector. But now a new scaled down proposal is on the table.

A scoping report has been prepared on behalf of Danescroft (FREOF V Willingdon) LLP ahead of a planning application being submitted to the council for a mixed-use urban extension development of up to 180 homes and a medical centre – on just the Hindsland Playing Field site.

Hindsland is a 15 acre site currently comprised of vacant former private playing fields, a single vacant residential unit and outbuildings.

In documents lodged with Wealden council, Danescroft said it intends to submit an outline application to demolish the existing vacant dwelling used formerly for the grounds keeper for the playing fields, the development of up to 180 residential units, a new community medical centre and/or a care home, new external public realm areas and landscaping and associated infrastructure and highways improvements.

In 2019 a government planning inspector threw out plans for the controversial 800 homes scheme saying any benefits from providing homes was outweighed by risks to highway safety along the busy stretch of road.