Decision on new homes
We have been defending ourselves continuously for some time now against unwanted housing proposals and we now have the Inspectors’ report on Small Scale Housing Allocations.
The only proposal within our Parish that has been accepted by the Inspector is the 65 houses on the site on the corner of Gravelye Lane/Lyoth Lane. This was accepted by the Inspector despite a previous appeal’s rejection (some three weeks prior) of an outline planning application due to the proposed development having “an adverse impact on the character and appearance of the area”. It is suggested that there may be some inconsistency of treatment by the Inspectors.
All the other sites were rejected but we now have another battle to fight with further site allocations which are to be considered under The Core Strategy criteria and the South East Plan. The latter will probably take into account the
redefinition of the Strategic Gap criteria (i.e. the strategic gap will only exist between settlements of 10,000 or more dwellings each which precludes a strategic gap between Haywards Heath and Scaynes Hill).
The Core Strategy preferred sites list has been announced and our main area of concern, we believe, is if the Gravelye Lane/Scamps Hill site becomes a definitive
preferred site. This is not the 220 dwellings under the small scale housing allocation which was rejected by the Inspector but a larger development of a minimum of 500 dwellings.
It is important that residents make their views known directly to Mid Sussex District Council Planning Policy Division at Oaklands Road, Haywards Heath, RH16 1SS. Public exhibitions will take place at various locations during the period 24 January to 20 March 2008.
Another contentious development is the demolition of two houses in Gravelye Lane (Thalia and Pear Tree Cottage) and the prospect of a substantial development in their place. The previous application was withdrawn after many objections and we are awaiting further proposals which are expected imminently. We shall keep residents informed of progress but we know that a drainage consultant was assessing the position in William Allen Lane - we await their drainage solution!
Traffic calming in Ardingly Road
B 2028 – Lindfield to Ardingly
The Parish Council’s long maintained stance for a 50mph speed limit from Lindfield to Ardingly was endorsed at a recent Lindfield Traffic Study Working Party meeting, so it was felt appropriate to approach WSCC again in view of the many speed related accidents on that road.
A buffer zone of 40 mph speed limit from the 30mph north of Lindfield down Town Hill to halfway up Buxshalls Hill is again requested by the Council. This was previously rejected by WSCC but in view of the new guidelines from the
Department of Transport and because of the many speed related accidents the Council feels it should be reconsidered. Previous rejection was because the speed limit did not correlate with the minimum number of houses in that stretch of road. However, there is a large Disabilities Trust premises (Hollyrood) off Buxshalls Hill and many young people from that premises walk along this road. Furthermore, there are several examples of a 40mph limit with less houses and it is reported that Lindfield and Ardingly are the only villages on the B2028 without a 40mph buffer zone.
The spate of speed related accidents at Stonecross have highlighted the potential danger at this junction. The camber for south travelling vehicles is not ideal and would be expensive to rectify but in normal conditions this bend could still be
negotiated safely if the speed limit was reduced to 50mph. However, WSCC may feel that a vehicle-activated sign (VAS) would be appropriate.
The Council would like to see:-
A much more prominent bend sign for south travelling vehicles (e.g. SLOW DANGEROUS BEND)
White road markings in the middle of the road to regulate overtaking on bends. Extensive road markings (including arrows) were installed on two bends just south of Ardingly but all bends on that road to Lindfield should be similarly painted.
These low cost minor innovations at the junction coupled with those implemented by WSCC may make a difference but the Council reserves the right to revisit the problem should other measures be deemed necessary.
Sign of the times!
The Parish Council has recently refurbished the Scaynes Hill village sign. The design reflects village history: the anchor referring to the means of preventing horse-drawn carriages from disappearing down the Hill of Scayne, a saw and trowel for the old sawmills and quarry, and grapes for the vineyard.
What is Speed Watch?
It is a partnership between Mid Sussex District Council, Sussex Police and Parish Councils to help residents reduce speeding. 'Speed guns' targeting motorists driving too fast are used by trained volunteers, with follow-up work on education and enforcement by Sussex Police. Letters are sent to registered keepers of offending vehicles asking for their assistance in keeping speeds down, with persistent offenders targeted for police enforcement.
Speedwatch volunteers are needed for Scaynes Hill and LRPC Chairman John Dumbleton has already undertaken training. If you would like to join him and can spare an hour a week then please contact Lindfield Rural Parish Council
tel: 01444 831499
email: lindfieldrural.parishcouncil@virgin.net
Check it out:
http://www.sussex.police.uk/foi/UploadFolder/IM5509.pdf
Planning application LF/07/03174/FUL
Land north of Newton Road, Lindfield
120 dwellings, including affordable housing, with associated access, structural landscaping and open space
At our recent Council meeting in December, Council members considered this proposed planning application and submitted the following observations to Mid Sussex District Council
The Inspector who reported on the public examination of the Mid Sussex Small Scale Housing Allocations Document has concluded that this site should be allocated for housing, despite the fact that the site is located within the Countryside area of Development Restraint, and is not allocated for residential development in a Development Plan. Although the proposed development is not in our Parish, Our Council is concerned for the future of similar parcels of land that are within our Parish and the impact on the surrounding area.
Although the principle of residential development has been established by the Inspector there are certain elements of the application with which we are particularly concerned.
The Parish Council is very concerned over the existing access and traffic situation in the northeast area of Lindfield and the development should not be allowed to proceed until WSCC (Highways Department) have resolved these issues. Furthermore, there is particular concern when the building works commence with regard to access for such a large volume of heavy lorries along very narrow roads. This state of affairs would prevail for many months and be a continual nightmare for residents in the access roads.
We believe there are many contradictions in the developer’s plans to the “Local Plan” and “Structure Plan” policies in the design, size and structure of the development. We feel MSDC should consider these elements very carefully particularly with regard to the size and height of some of the properties and, in some cases, the rather cramped conditions imposed by the design scheme. We believe that further work needs to be done to produce designs that would be in keeping with the pretty village to which it would be a part.
The Council feels that the infrastructure element has not been fully addressed by the Inspector. With regard to pupil capacity in schools, we find it difficult to understand that a school in Bolnore (not to be built until 2010) would have any impact on the over-subscribed situation we are experiencing in the two schools in Lindfield unless there is a presumption that children would be bussed to the other side of town. Additionally, it is not envisaged that there would be any spare capacity for doctors in the village and residents would need to travel to Northlands Wood where there may be some spare capacity.
Whatever recommendation is accepted it would increase the traffic problems in the village and area and would substantially increase “the carbon footprint” at a time when every effort is being made (by everyone including Government) to reduce our emissions.
It is stated that the provision of the 120 dwellings would require an increase in water pumping capacity at the Lewes Road Pumping Station. The Council feels that it should be a requirement that the work needs to be completed by Southern Water before work commences on the housing development.
The Parish Council recommends that MSDC reject the application in its present form.
Lindfield Rural Parish Council would like to wish everyone a Very Happy New Year !
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