Dismay as planning officer recommends approval of 1,450 homes

CPRE Sussex urges councillors to reject controversial and wholly unsustainable ‘Cuckstye’ scheme.

Campaigners have been left dismayed by a recommendation to approve plans for 1,450 homes on a large farmland site.

CPRE Sussex says the bid for a large development on the south side of the A272 between Cuckfield and Ansty is ‘wholly unsustainable’.

However, planning officers for Mid Sussex District Council have recommended the scheme is approved.

Paul Steedman, director of CPRE Sussex, said: “Dropping thousands of new residents into the middle of the countryside, away from infrastructure and public transport links, is not good planning. It just creates development sprawl, while harming the natural landscape and failing to deliver enough affordable housing.”

While applicants Fairfax Developments have charmingly described the bid as a ‘Community Garden’ locals have branded it the ‘Cuckstye’ scheme.

CPRE Sussex has been working alongside Cuckfield Parish Council, Ansty and Staplefield Parish Council, the Cuckfield Society and residents to oppose the bid. Concerns include:

• The unsustainable location of the site, including car dependency.
• The complete lack of existing infrastructure on the greenfield site.
• Environmental damage, including adverse landscape and heritage impacts.

Councillors will discuss the ‘Cuckstye’ application at the District Planning Committee meeting from 2pm on Thursday, 16 October. CPRE Sussex urges them to refuse the bid.

CPRE Sussex is also encouraging residents concerned about the scheme to contact their local councillor.