Housing & Environment

I was disappointed to learn of the Planning Inspector's decision to allow the planning application for building houses in the AONB* in Cuckfield to the north of Bylanes. Local Conservative councillors have launched a petition to ensure that a public enquiry is held into the future of the twitten which runs across the access to the site and may prove to be a 'ransom strip' to the site.

Developers have also applied for permission on the land both to the north and south of Tylers Green where the A272 comes into Haywards Heath. Both these sites are in the  already small strategic gap between Haywards Heath and Cuckfield where we have previously opposed housing development.

We are not opposed to new housing development. But I do believe it should be in the right place, it must have the appropriate infrastructure and it must meet local need. The close location of these developments to phases 4 & 5 of Bolnore Village must mean some serious questions need to be asked as to whether this is indeed appropriate and necessary development.

I am pleased to see Mid Sussex District Council is reorganising its planning dept to enable it to better defend the wonderful part of the world in which we are fortunate to live.