Polegate safe.... for now

The campaign to quash the threat of excessive, unsustainable development on the western edge of Polegate, East Sussex has had a major victory in Wealden District Council's refusal of both applications for Phase 1 & 2 of the development.

Residents and other stakeholders must not be complacent - this victory will undoubtedly be challenged through appeal by the developers.

Polegate Town Council joined those opposing the proposals. Other key agencies have raised concerns over the impact of the proposed development.

Over 700 local residents attended our public meeting on Saturday 19 th August to register their concerns. Peter Mumford (Chairman of the CPRE Sussex Wealden South District Group) took 501 letters of objection to Wealden District Council following the public meeting. A total of some 600 letters were received by WDC as a result of our campaign.

Pelham Homes have submitted applications for outline planning for 2,300 new homes on this greenfield site in Phases 1 and 2 of their proposals for Polegate. It has also become apparent that a further 1000 homes are proposed under a "Phase 3", also on greenfield . (This proposal has not yet been submitted as a planning application).

The development will be separated from the existing town centre by the congested A22, the Polegate bypass and the proposed Folkington link road preventing new residents from easy access to the existing goods and services provided in the town. It is also planned to move Polegate station away from the high street, further west. This will take essential trade away from the high street.

The three proposals combined will almost double the size of Polegate. Such an explosion of development is not only unsustainable, it will ruin a large area of beautiful countryside and will severely impact on the structure of the local community.

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