An on-going demonstration of how tricky it is to deal with some developers has been demonstrated on the outskirts of Heathfield. The developer has plans for a large housing development within the High Weald AONB. They are being supported by the Parish Council who favour enlargement of the town to help support local traders, and who see the affordable houses that come with the development as essential for their town with its high house prices. Despite all the press publicity no planning application has been made, and the Core Strategy does not include this site. We remain vigilant in our defence of the AONB, supporting those who live near the site.

Another site much discussed and rejected by the inspector at the Core Strategy hearing, was for some 200 houses at Oaklands, Ersham Road, Hailsham. As mentioned in our last report we opposed this unnecessary green field proposal, and WDC refused permission. They appealed, and the hearing begins shortly.

The proposal for the Shepham Lane Wind Farm which had been withdrawn following the officer’s recommendation that permission should not be granted has now been resubmitted for a smaller wind farm; however opinion is still sharply divided, between those who do not want any wind-farms anywhere, and those who feel that if we are to have any wind farms this site is perhaps not too bad.