Low Weald must not become ‘dumping ground’ for Mid Sussex housing, says charity

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Charity calls for a Low Weald preservation and development strategy ahead of hearings into Mid Sussex District Council draft local plan.

CPRE Sussex is opposing proposals for new large development sites in the Low Weald.

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The charity is particularly concerned about plans for a 2,000-home development near Sayers Common.

It describes proposals to create a self-sustaining 20-minute neighbourhood there, set out in the Mid Sussex District Council draft local plan, as ‘wholly unrealistic and undeliverable’.

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The charity says the proposals treat the area as a ‘dumping ground’ for housing which cannot be built in the designated High Weald area.

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It is calling for the development of a comprehensive land use policy for the Low Weald.

This would recognise its high ecological, landscape and natural capital value, as well as identifying areas which need to be protected, and those suitable for sustainable development.

CPRE Sussex planning lead for Mid Sussex Michael Brown said: “Until a comprehensive Low Weald strategic land use plan exists, as it already does for the High Weald, it would be seriously irresponsible to pre-empt, and potentially forestall it, by supporting large scale new development settlements there.”

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CPRE Sussex argues most new development should be focused in and around the district’s main urban centres.

This means densification of development and providing more sustainable and affordable homes within larger towns.

Local plan housing targets should reflect this more sustainable development policy and recognise the serious infrastructure and environmental constraints affecting the district.

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The public examination by the Planning Inspectorate of the draft local plan is set to start next week.

Hearings will be held in Mid Sussex District Council’s Haywards Heath offices.

CPRE Sussex director Paul Steedman said: “The council has opted to take the easy option of concreting over green fields.

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"We need a much more ambitious and imaginative local plan that will revitalise sustainable town centre locations like Burgess Hill, while protecting more tranquil countryside.”

Read the latest CPRE Sussex submissions on the draft local plan here: www.cpresussex.org.uk/news/cpre-sussex-submits-further-statements-on-mid-sussex-district-local-plan

Find out more about our work across the district, and how you can get involved, here: www.cpresussex.org.uk/mid-sussex