The Lindfield Preservation Society

Whenever anyone moves into a property in the village,
the Society welcomes them with a special leaflet

Click hear to see the Welcome leaflet

The Officers of the Society

Andrew Fox, Chairman
John Jesson, Vice-Chairman
David MacMillan, Treasurer

URGENT – LINDFIELD AGAIN UNDER THREAT

Last November, Mid Sussex District Council granted planning permission for 120 new homes behind Newton Road. In doing so, they reversed a decision to refuse planning permission that was barely five months old. This insensitive and illogical action threatens Lindfield’s public infrastructure, road safety and general quality of life.

Now, as part of its “core strategy” for housing development, MSDC is proposing at least a further 700 homes to be built in the Gravelye Lane – Scamps Hill area. Combined with the Newton Road development, this would add nearly 2,000 residents – a 40% increase in Lindfield’s population - to the village’s already overloaded infrastructure. 1,100 additional cars would have predictable consequences for traffic congestion, pollution and the safety of our streets.

In addition to this, MSDC is also proposing 55 new homes on the land east of Portsmouth Wood Close. The council is to finalise its “core strategy”, including the future of Gravelye Lane – Scamps Hill, at a full council meeting on 22 July, 2009. Even though such large scale development would have profound and irreversible consequences for our community, we the public are not being invited to comment on the imminent strategy document before its formal adoption. It is therefore all the more important that we make our views unmistakably clear.

If you object to the projected development of Gravelye Lane – Scamps Hill, please ensure that every adult in your household sends comments to the council no later than 1 May 2009. If you do not, the council will assume that you agree with their proposals.

You may register your objection in either of the following ways:
1) On the postcards which will be delivered to your house very shortly, or
2) By writing to:
Claire Tester, District Planner, Mid Sussex District Council, Oaklands Road, Haywards Heath RH16 1SS, ensuring that you state the reference “Core policy on land between Gravelye Lane, Lyoth Lane and Scamps Hill, Lindfield”.

It is important that objections are made on concrete planning grounds. The following are some key planning issues that make the site unacceptable for development. You may wish to consider these in your objection:

TRAFFIC: The substantial increase in traffic movements would greatly worsen the existing congestion in Lindfield. Road safety would therefore be compromised, especially in the High Street, Lewes Road and in adjacent residential roads already endangered by “rat running”.

SCHOOLS: Local schools are already under considerable pressure to provide enough places for existing residents - even before the impact of the Newton Rd. Development.

MEDICAL FACILITIES: The Lindfield Medical Centre is already oversubscribed and has been for some years.

WATER AND SEWAGE: Local capacity is already under severe pressure, again even before the impact of the Newton Road development.

ENVIRONMENT: Aggravated traffic congestion would increase pollution significantly and make the village environment less healthy.

For further information please contact the
Lindfield Preservation Society on 482538 or 483367

ACT NOW TO PROTECT YOUR VILLAGE

2009

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