Heathfield affordable housing development approved

Plans to build affordable housing in Heathfield have been given the go ahead by Wealden planners. 
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On Thursday (November 4), Wealden District Council planners approved proposals to build 15 affordable homes in place of a converted barn, known as the Cart Barn, in Burwash Road. 

The scheme was granted outline planning permission in 2016, with the application simply seeking approval of the layout, scale and design of the scheme.

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While the committee was broadly supportive of the scheme, some concerns were raised about the impact of the development on surrounding roads.

Cllr Bob Bowdler (Con), whose Horam and Punnetts Town ward borders the area, was among those to raise concerns.  He said: “I welcome this application, I’m just sorry it has taken so long to get this far. 

“I will propose we accept the officers’ recommendation, but I do want to just emphasise the fact that since we passed this [in outline] quite some time ago, we have passed multiple other applications along this section of highway.

“I am concerned about this section here, which is the main walking and cycling route to Heathfield College. This isn’t aimed at this application per se, but this small area which I consider to be extremely dangerous.

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“I know [the case officer] has already said she will raise this with East Sussex Highways to see what we can do about having a safe crossing from north to south and what else we can do along this section of road to make it safe.” 

In light of these concerns, the committee added a condition to link the footpaths outside of the property to create a safe area for pedestrians.

Officers also confirmed work was ongoing on highways improvements through other schemes which are still progressing through the planning system.

The site is to be made up of a mix of seven houses and two small apartment buildings, containing a total of eight flats. When put together, the development will comprise of six one-bed units, five two-bed units and four three-bed units.

All of the properties are classed as affordable housing.

For further information see application reference WD/2019/2321/MRM on the Wealden District Council website.

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