Since the June 2019 meeting at St Peter’s Church in Henfield, the LAMBS (Locals Against Mayfield Building Sprawl) committee, together with residents from the affected parishes, have been working together to oppose the unwanted proposal from Mayfield Market Town (MMT).
The turnout on the night showed how strongly many of you feel about the threat of a new town on our doorstep and your generous donations have enabled us to commission reports which show that MMT’s proposal is both unsustainable and undeliverable. Since the meeting we have been working on finalising our reports and gathering the required evidence for submission to Horsham District Council (HDC). We have analysed the content of the brochures MMT sent out in July and a fact-sheet has been published on our website in response to their claims. We have launched a new website and increased our presence on social media to engage with the local community.
Following advice from planning consultants we have commissioned reports highlighting serious concerns with the proposed development site.
LAMBS analysis indicates that MMT do not have sufficient land for the proposal to go ahead as they currently control less than 50% of the land shown on their proposals.
The proposed site is in an area prone to fluvial flooding with significant risks for settlements further downstreamas simple mitigation onsite is unlikely toresolve the wider impact. Also identified are potential serious issues with wastewater disposal as wellas inadequate areas for balancing large amounts of new surface water run-off. The additional wastewater and run-off arising from the Northern Arc development upstream in Burgess Hill, and potential impacts from the rise in sea levels given that the Adur is tidal, indicate that the challenges of the site will only worsen in future.
The site’s location is considered unsustainable as there is inadequate local infrastructure for a development of this size. The site is distanced from the strategic road network and rail connections with the only access being through key Air Quality Management sites at Cowfold and the Stone Pound Crossroads at Hassocks.
- The development is unlikely to achieve ‘self-containment’ in employment, as per Mayfield’s vision. Current plans for retail and office space is not consideredadequate for the levels of on-site employment space required. The currenttrends inhigh street declinegive rise to concerns that employment space may be reallocated for residential use. The development is being promoted on the basis of minimal commuting but there is an established pattern of out-commuting from the district, which is likely to persist. New retail space is likely divert expenditure from Henfield and the negative impact this will have on existing local business must be carefully considered.
- “Red listed” species have been identified at the site, along with important wildlife corridors connecting the North and South Downs. Field patterns have changed very little since the first published Ordnance Survey map of 1879 and there is a continuity of landscape features such as woodlands, fields and ponds. The development is likely to have a significant impact on both daytime and night-time views from the South Down National Park (SDNP), damaging the SDNP’s International Dark Sky Reserve.
We are close to our target of £30,000 and would like to thank everyone who has contributed so far. To date we have spent £11,500 on evidence and reports. Our website and social media management have been donated and a small amount of funds have been allocated to awareness raising via both online and offline channels. Money has been set aside to pay for further legal advice from planning experts.
Yes, The Inter Parish Group now consists of 17 Parish Councils in HDC and Mid Sussex who are deeply concerned about the negative impacts and oppose Mayfield’s plan. A sub group of 10 directly affected parishes have paid for their own flooding report which has already been submitted to HDC and can be seen on all parish council websites.
HDC are examining 7 or 8 large strategic sites of 1,200+ houses within the district to satisfy the government’s increased housing targets. Homes England have recently published proposals to build 10,000 houses on government land near Ifield in the north of the district, but HDC appear to want a southern site as well.
LAMBS have a working relationship with Planning Officers from HDC and have discussed these proposals and the reasons why this location is unsustainable, undeliverable and ultimately not viable. HDC will use the reports and evidence provided by LAMBS in their decision making process.
LAMBS are working closely with a QC and will be seeking further advice when the reports have all been finalised and will keep you informed.
Although there was a presentation in May, to date there has been no consultation with individual Parish councils.
LAMBS will finalise our reports, seek legal opinion and attend further meetings with HDC before the end of the year. HDC Planning Department are expected to share their preferred site recommendations with all the Parishes by the end of the year in a consultation process. At the beginning of 2020 the District councillors will vote for the sites they wish to see developed.
LAMBS will continue to post articles on our website and on social media and encourage as many people as possible to write letters to their District and Parish Councillors and MPs objecting to this development in the strongest terms.
LAMBS
