Horam could be seeing 51 new houses

Chailey Homes has submitted plans for a housing development at Horam to Wealden District Council.

According to the plans, the company has reduced the size of the development compared to the original submission after it was dismissed due to problems with sustainability, landscape and residential amenity.

Documents say ‘the scheme is materially different in several key ways’ including less houses, reduced parking and the removal of garages.

Currently the site, on land at Orchard House on Horebeech Lane, is used for agriculture.

The plans feature 51 houses, 22 of which are classed as affordable and there are eight one-bed flats.

A number of residents have objected to the plans.

Emily Davidson said, “The appearance and size of 51 new buildings will not and cannot be in keeping with the surrounding area. People live in the countryside and rural communities for a quiet and private lifestyles as well as to enjoy views of fields and nature which will be significantly impacted by this development.”

Sabrina Findlay said the problem of local services being stretched should be considered. She also said more housing would bring more flooding to the area.

Ms Findlay said, “In the last three months I’ve never seen so much water. The road has been closed on several occasions due to flooding - how can the report say different? Building more houses on an already wet area would be catastrophic.”

Lou O’Kill said, “We do not have the infrastructure in place for more dwellings here in Horam.”