Developer planning applications
Planning applications for developments in and around Sayers Common are beginning to come in. The application to build over 200 houses at Coombe Farm, off the B2118 between Albourne and Sayers Common, has been submitted and consultation ends on 26th November. Have your say! Click here for guidance on how to do so. We’ll be posting our own response soon.
We expect two more applications will come in shortly for the LVS site near the Hickstead junction, and the site between the business park and Avtrade off Reeds Lane. We think plans for the largest scheme, which the developers call Sayers Village, won’t be submitted before Christmas.
Local groups and representatives are working closely together – Albourne and Hurst and Sayers Common Parish Councils, WILD and Sayers Common Village Society. We will all be objecting to these developments as they come forward, but we will also be developing proposals for how they can be improved and made more acceptable if, despite our efforts, they receive planning permission. The timescales are tight, but we’ll all do our best to keep you informed and engaged.
The Neighbourhood plan inspeciton
Mid Sussex have swallowed a large slice of humble pie and told the inspector that they may not have presented their case on ‘duty to cooperate’ (the reason why the district plan was rejected) as well as they could have done. The inspector has said she will hold a review in January to hear their case. Her letter is on the MSDC website: it’s rather frosty, but don’t forget how rude they were to her when she failed the plan.
Sussex LNRS (Local Nature Recovery Strategy)
Finally, a shout out for the Sussex LNRS : they are out for consultation until 26th November.
The wonderful wildlife and habitats in Sussex (including some which are internationally rare) urgently need our help! LNRS created by DEFRA under The Environment Act 2021 are a new approach to help restore nature which will strongly influence planning decisions. East Sussex, West Sussex and Brighton & Hove are each working on their LNRS and asking local people for their input. Find out more here.
This exciting and important initiative deserves the support of local people – we’ll be quoting it in our response to planning applications. So please look it up and send in your feedback!