Exhibition on plans for ‘up to 50’ homes

19/11/13- The Ingrams, Ninfield- proposed site for housing development.

Rydon Homes has ambitious plans for a large plot of land in Ninfield and is awaiting a decision from Wealden District Council on whether or not to turn the greenfield site over for development.

If agreed, the site could be earmarked for as many as 50 new homes, including one, two, three and four bedroom houses. Of the new builds there would be 18 (35 per cent) homes considered affordable housing.

An improved pedestrian crossing and new traffic calming and speed reduction measures would also be including on Bexhill Road near to The Ingrams site.

Rydon Homes has also outlined a local wildlife protection scheme and the retention of woodland and hedgerows.

Any amphibians likely to be displaced by the scheme, such as newts, would be relocated.

A series of public meetings kicked off last week and the next takes place on November 29 between 1pm and 8pm and Ninfield Memorial Hall in Bexhill Road, Ninfield.

However, one local resident who attended the last session has already been in touch with the Observer to voice his concerns.

John Cheshire, who has also been in touch with local MP Greg Barker, said: “I find this proposal very worrying for many reasons.

My principal objection is that there are still plenty of brownfield sites available within five miles of this proposed development and these should be built on before our countryside is destroyed.

“There are also issues about work and transport, there is very little/no employment here and everyone moving in will have to drive to work adding to congestion and pollution.

“Looking at the current property market there are already 24 houses under £600,000 for sale in the immediate Ninfield area.

“How does this square with the proposal to build a further 50 homes?

“We simply do not need them and this plan makes no sense at all.

“Property developers need to make money, I understand that completely. There does need to be some restraint and some sensible planning.

“Our green fields are irreplaceable and should be left alone until such time as all brownfield sites are utilised.”

For more information on the plans, visit the website www.ingramsninfield.co.uk.