Amended plans for 148 homes in Lindfield approved

Permission has already been granted for a total of 230 units on land off Gravelye Lane and construction has already started on the other 82 units on the site. However since a different developer is now looking to build the other 148 homes it submitted a further application to ‘put their own twist’ on the scheme with revisions to the scheme’s layout and design. These were approved at a Mid Sussex District Council District Planning Committee meeting last Thursday August 6. Robert Salisbury (Con, Cuckfield) said: “The parish have accepted these modifications as has the urban designer. These changes are so slight and the urban designer has gone over them.” Christopher Hersey (Con, High Weald) added: “In the overall scheme of things they are very limited and I’m more than happy the urban designed has looked over them.” Wates Developments, who gained permission for original 230 homes in 2013, held a public exhibition last month over draft plans to build another 220 homes off Gravelye Lane. Around 200 residents attended the one-day information event, showing the level of interest in the scheme. Gil Kennedy, chairman of the Lindfield Preservation Society, called proposals a ‘cynical attempt’ to force through a planning application before MSDC’s local plan was completed. Simon Knight, associate land and planning director at Wates’, said they greatly value the community input and will carefully consider all feedback that comes in. He added: “We consider the site to be a very appropriate scheme for Mid Sussex given the need for housing has not abated.” Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live. Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on. 1) Make our website your homepage at www.midsussextimes.co.uk 2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/midsussextimes 3) Follow us on Twitter @midsussex_times 4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here. And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out! The Mid Sussex Times - always the first with your local news. Be part of it.