PENLAND FARM: Campaigners delighted application unanimously rejected

Isobel Holloway of Penland Farm Action Group told the Middy she was delighted and ecstatic following their decision, which went against the local authority’s planning officers’ guidance.

“This a true victory for localism,” she said. “Local residents and councils have spoken and have been heard.”

A large number of campaigners turned up to yesterday’s planning meeting at Oaklands, to demonstrate their strength of feeling directly to the decision-makers.

Isobel added: “Residents of Haywards Heath value their green space, value the beauty of our countryside, and value our heritage.

“Greedy landowners and developers cannot hold the residents and councils to ransom.”

The application had been submitted by Catesby Estates and the trustees of the neighbouring Grade 11* Listed Borde Hill estate, which owns the 72 acres in question.

Catesby Estates are yet to comment about the rejection of their scheme, but it is assumed by many the decision will be appealed and go before a Government planning inspector in due course.

For some this will be a welcome development.

Homeless of Haywards Heath commented on this website yesterday: “It is all very well for the NIMBY’s of Penlands Road who don’t want this in their back yard and want to keep walking their dogs on someone else’s land but what about families like mine?

“In expensive private rented accommodation that is not suitable for us because there are no housed owned by the local housing association.

“This development will have lots of social housing for families like mine.

“It is all very well for the NIMBY’s in their £400,000 houses but what about the normal working people of Sussex?”

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