Reserved matters application submitted for 198 new homes at West Sussex village
A company has submitted a reserved matters application for 198 new homes in Bolney.
Cala Management Limited applied to Mid Sussex District Council (MSDC) to build the dwellings, which include 60 affordable homes, on land at Foxhole Farm, Foxhole Lane.
The proposal is also for associated landscaping, a community orchard, public open space and infrastructure.
The submission, which was received by MSDC on Friday, August 7, follows the approval of an outline application on November 18, 2025, for up to 200 homes at the site (DM/25/1129). People can find the latest documents at pa.midsussex.gov.uk/online-applications by searching for reference DM/26/1961.
The application form said the company is seeking approval of reserved matters including: appearance, landscaping, layout and scale.
The design and access statement said: “The proposals build upon the principles established through the approved outline planning permission and seek to deliver a high-quality, landscape-led residential development that responds positively to its village edge setting.
“The site occupies a sustainable location adjacent to the existing settlement boundary of Bolney, providing future residents with convenient access to local services, facilities, employment opportunities, public rights of way, and community assets.”
It said the development would comprise a mix of one, two, three, four and five-bedroom homes, as well as policy compliant 30 per cent affordable housing. This affordable housing would be 45 social and affordable rent and 15 affordable ownership/first homes. The statement said homes in the plan would be predominantly two-storey and said there would be a foul water pumping station, two electricity substations and access from the A272 Cowfold Road. It added that the northern area of the site would be accessed from a country estate road through countryside open space from the southern area.
The plan is also for car parking and cycle storage to all homes, as well as new publicly accessible countryside open space, play elements and community allotments. It said ‘significant mature trees’ within the site would be retained and there would be new woodland planting to the north west.
The design and access statement said the site, which is about 41.72 acres, comprises agricultural land and adjoins the existing built-up western edge of Bolney village. It said Foxhole Farm will be retained.
The statement explained that a pre-application meeting had been held with MSDC on April 16 to review the emerging proposals, adding that officers were generally supportive of the scheme.
It said: “Overall, the pre-application response was positive, with comments focused on refinement and enhancement of the scheme rather than fundamental changes to the development principles. The design has subsequently evolved to address the matters raised where appropriate and to support the submission of a high-quality Reserved Matters application.”
The design and access statement added that the reserved matters application has evolved ‘from a thorough understanding of the site’s opportunities and constraints, extensive technical assessment work, and ongoing engagement with Mid Sussex District Council and key stakeholders’.
It said the design has been ‘carefully shaped’ by the site’s topography, landscape character, heritage setting and ecological assets. It said: “Existing hedgerows, mature vegetation, key views and areas of public open space have been retained and enhanced to create a strong landscape framework that defines the development and helps integrate it into its surroundings.”
It added: “Overall, the proposed development represents a well considered and policy-compliant scheme that will deliver a sustainable, attractive and distinctive new neighbourhood. It will make an important contribution towards meeting local housing needs whilst enhancing the environmental, social and landscape qualities of this part of Bolney, creating a lasting and positive addition to the village.”
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