Face up to housing

TWO Ringmer landowners believe they have the key to the village's future housing needs.

They say land to the east of Ringmer Community College is ideally suited for new homes.

Most of the village is opposing Lewes District Council's proposals to have homes built at Forge Field and Bishops Field/Potters Field.

Andy Cooper and Phil Sturdy point out that two public inquiries have already confirmed that the village can accommodate extra housing.

'A large site to the east of Ringmer Community College was identified for additional recreational use, including the possible re-siting of Ringmer Football Club, a new cricket pitch for Ringmer Cricket Club and additional playing fields and facilities for the college,' they said.

'However the cricket club has now developed a new ground at Cheyney Field and does not wish to relocate elsewhere.

'The new owners of this land consider that this is the best site for any future housing in Ringmer.

'It would allow for an appraisal of the need for additional recreational facilities.

'There is a very good infrastructure on the site and allowing new housing on some of the land could result in many of the new recreational facilities being paid for.

'In other words, this would amount to sustainable and enabling development. There is direct access onto the Lewes Road, and the new development would be adjacent to both the primary school and college. Part of the land could also provide low-cost housing for village people.'

Messrs Cooper and Sturdy go on to say: 'It is a good idea to form a village preservation society but use it to persuade planners where new housing should go, rather than bury heads in the sand and hope there is no more housing in Ringmer.

'Let the people of Ringmer and their elected members sit down and discuss with planners how new housing, if it has to be provided, can best help the future of all the interested parties in the village.'

l Thirteen Ringmer residents have written to the Express calling for an urban capacity study to find new housing sites in towns, and a delay on greenfield development in Ringmer, other than at Caburn Field. See letters page.