Ingrams Farm development in Ninfield is given go-ahead

Forest Row-based developers Rydon Homes applied to Wealden District Council (WDC) to build six one-bedroom flats, 13 two-bed bedroom homes, 22 three-bedroom homes, and 14 four-bedroom homes at Ingrams Farm.

The proposals were discussed at the council’s planning meeting last Thursday (June 25) by Wealden councillors.

Objectors from the Ninfield Action Group put up a big fight to try and persuade WDC to refuse planning permission for the scheme.

They said the land was prone to flooding and branded the plans an ‘overdevelopment’.

Samantha Guard, from NAG and vice-chairman of Ninfield Parish Council, said: “We are absolutely gutted. Several of us were in tears as we came out of the meeting last Thursday.

“People in the village worked so hard and professionally, doing a huge amount of research.

“There is no way we will let this go without a fight. The battle goes on.”

She said the extra homes will increase the size of the village by more than 10 per cent, as Ninfield contained just under 530 houses.

Samantha added: “The density of the proposed estate is also far too great, and larger than earlier developed areas within the village.

“Ninfield’s total population is 1,562, which is 438 less than the minimum required 2,000 head needed to support the range of amenities generally provided within a local service centre.

“Ninfield does not have a parade of shops. It has one village store/post office, an overcrowded doctor’s surgery, and a primary school that is already over capacity. This proposed development is not sustainable, as there are no regular bus services to encourage public transport use for employment outside the immediate area.

“Overdevelopment at Ingrams will create a further flood risk to the area, and especially Lower Street.”

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