Lindfield Rural Parish Council (LRPC) & Lindfield Parish Council has lodged a joint 24-page document setting out their many objections to the development of Haywards Heath Golf Course. The list of objections makes it clear that they believe the development:
Would be contrary to the MSDC policy on the Protection & Enhancement of the Countryside, the Mid Sussex District Plan and the Joint Lindfield Neighbourhood Plan. These prevent building housing estates in the Countryside
Would create unsustainable pressure as result a large population increase (approx. 65% in the Rural Parish area) in the provision of public services and infrastructure, particularly in respect of access to schools and doctors’ surgeries, facilities which are already full
Would damage the Countryside and the Environment and be harmful to the the biodiversity of the area with the removal of 51% (294 out of 573) of the trees, many of which were planted at the beginning of the last Century, would be lost. There are also Ecology Nature Conversation concerns about the adverse affect on the Ancient woodland sites next to the development
The Transport Assessment does not acknowledge that the local roads cannot accommodate the significant increase in the volume of traffic generated by the proposed development. It underestimates the travelling time and distances between the site and local facilities or recognises the needs of walkers and cyclists. It is also fails to acknowledge the need for regular public transport provision to Haywards Heath especially to the station, given parking at Haywards Heath Station and the surrounding area is already very limited
Five local parish councils all signed this letter of objection
The issue of Community involvement is also included in the LRPC submission to MSDC where we said: “The Fairfax document on Community Involvement submitted with the application is inadequate and cannot be described in any way as genuine community involvement. In their submission they refer to following the advice in a Code of Good Practice which is highly questionable given they fail to meet the criteria in the Code which states that “The statement (of community involvement) must ensure the active, meaningful and continued involvement of local communities and stakeholders throughout both processes”.
For example, the leaflet circulated to residents regarding the application indicated that the applicants would not respond to any questions arising from this public consultation exercise. This is wholly unsatisfactory.”
Trevor Webster, Chair of Lindfield Rural Parish Council summed up the situation by saying: “We have continued to listen to the local community and gathered their views in best possible way despite the disappointment of not being hold a public meeting because of the Covid-19. Our own submission to MSDC reflect what local people and specialists planning advisors, have told us. It is also in line with what hundreds of residents have been saying on the MSDC planning online Portal. Our intention is to continue to communicate the resident’s views to MSDC Council members, to ensure the planning application is refused."
There is also now agreement between 5 Local Parish Council to issue a joint statement expressing concerns about the development of the Golf Course. The Parish Councils are Ardingly, Balcombe, Cuckfield, Lindfield & Lindfield Rural Parish Council. All these Councils have lodged objections with MSDC planning Portal.