Meanwhile, the developers continue to press ahead with yet more planning applications in the hope of getting consent from the District Council for a number of sites outside Haywards Heath’s town boundary in the hope that the application process will be completed before the Town’s new neighbourhood plan comes into effect.

In recent days CPRE Sussex has made its objections known to two greenfield applications on the northern arc of Haywards Heath: one a site at Penland Farm for over 210 houses right opposite the renowned Borde Hill Estate in the strategic gap between Haywards Heath and Cuckfield; and the other for 48 homes in open fields off Birchen Lane near Haywards Heath golf course. There are further large sites in the same locality that could well be the subject of speculative development applications in the coming weeks and months.

With Mid Sussex’s proposed new District Plan on hold following the Planning Inspectorate’s decision that the District Council must consult and co-operate further with neighbouring authorities about the possibility of meeting their housing needs, as well as the District’s own, the District is in a weakened position to resist the developers’ onslaught.

Haywards Heath Town Council Consultation Draft Neighbourhood Plan: http://www.haywardsheath.gov.uk/N393bhood-Plan-documents-.aspx

See below for CPRE objections to Penland Farm and Birchen Lane applications.