Mid-Sussex
Huge housing target imposed on Mid Sussex District: a wake-up call
Written by Roger F SmithLetter published by the West Sussex Gazette 1 March 2017
The following article was written by residents of Horsted Keynes. It eloquently explains many of the problems now facing Sussex's rural communities:
I understand that you are launching a campaign to fight for fair and sustainable levels of development in the district and I am writing to let you know about the current situation regarding potential development in our village of Horsted Keynes.
Mid-Sussex Times: Dark Day for Mid-Sussex as Housing Target Increased
Written by CPRE SussexThe following article, including CPRE Sussex's responses, was published in the Mid-Sussex Times on 22 February 2017:
On behalf of CPRE may we thank all those of you who responded so generously to our plea last autumn for funds to support our ongoing countryside protection work across Sussex.
Mid Sussex District Planning Update - December 2016
Written by Michael Brown
After some evident hesitation on the part of the Planning Inspectorate (PI), the public examination has started into the housing policies proposed by the District Council in their draft District Plan. MSDC has calculated the District’s need for new housing during the period 2014 – 2031 at 13,536 new homes, and planned to overcome PI criticism of its previously inadequate co-operation with neighbouring authorities by offering to build 864 homes towards the needs of Crawley BC which, like a number of adjacent districts, is unable to meet its own housing needs. To meet this need the draft Plan therefore envisages new houses being built at a rate of 800 p.a. throughout the Plan period – MSDC’s annual housing target.
Mid Sussex CPRE Shocked At SoS Decision In Relation To Sunte House
Written by Michael Brown
Alarm bells should ring about the latest planning appeal decision made by the Secretary of State for Communities & Local Government who has allowed a proposed 40 posh home development to proceed at Birchin Fields in the fast diminishing green gap between Haywards Heath and Lindfield.
Download a copy of the South Downs National Parks Authority to concerns raised about Pondtail Wood, written by Margaret Paren, Chair of SDNP.
Mid Sussex planning issues update as at end July 2016
Written by Michael BrownThere has been no public progress on finalising MSDC’s District Plan to the point where it can be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for public examination. Submission was originally due in September 2015, but has been repeatedly delayed with no public explanation, and with no minuted discussion at Council scrutiny or cabinet level. The officer responsible for the delivery of the Plan left the Council in May. All deeply disturbing and wholly unsatisfactory.
The District Council has again deferred submitting its draft District Plan to the Planning Inspectorate for public examination. Late substantive amendments to its proposals significantly to increase the District’s housing target and to allocate for a 600 home development a site within the High Weald AONB near to Pease Pottage – a site that the Council itself had described last summer as “very unsuitable” for housing – have proved to be very controversial. We await the submission version of the draft Plan with mixed interest and trepidation. Meanwhile, MSDC’s Head of Economic and Planning has announced that she is leaving.
