At present, Sport England is a statutory consultee when planning applications impact playing fields, acting as a crucial safeguard in the planning system and providing vital oversight. However, the government is looking to remove them from this position as part of proposed planning reforms. Playing fields are a lifeline for many communities, boosting both physical […]
The most urgent planning issue is yet another NPPF, published for consultation on 16 December 2025. Our calculation of MSDC’s new mandatory annual housing target is 1,391 dwellings, an increase of 34% from the recent new-build average of 1,035 dwellings. Our first reading of the proposed NPPF reveals the Government’s intent to significantly speed up […]
After a tumultuous year, the MSDC District Plan 2021 – 2039 examination has been tentatively rescheduled to begin on 24 February in the MSDC council chambers in Haywards Heath. Since nothing has been posted on the MSDC website, the Society will monitor and contact MSDC planning officials to determine how the Lindfield Society can help […]
Despite significant local opposition, the Planning Inspectorate has approved the application to develop land to the north of Scamps Hill. Gladman Developments will build a further 90 houses on an area of countryside on the edge of the village that was explicitly excluded from development in the Mid-Sussex Development Plan. The Planning Inspector’s reasoning is […]
Presentation to the Planning Inspector hearing the appeal in relation to Mid Sussex DC planning appeal ref AP/24/0044. Planning Inspectorate ref: APP/D3830/W/24/3350075 – Land off Scamps Hill, Lindfield – John Dawson on behalf of The Lindfield Society Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak at this Inquiry. My name is John Dawson, I […]
We reported that developers were attempting to build on open spaces within the Welkin. The proposals (applications DM/22/1890 and DM/22/1893) failed to recognise that green and open spaces form an integral part of the Welkin’s design. This could have created a precedent for importing urban blight into the heart of the village and we urged […]
Blocks of flats on Tavistock and Summerhill School site – UPDATE Sept 2022: new application awaited!
There was a victory for common sense in August when a Planning Committee refused permission for this scheme. A successful outcome at the MSDC planning meeting, with the Planning Committee refusing permission for the Tavistock site, turning down the application by a majority vote of 7 – 2. It recognised that the urban design of […]
Fairfax the developers withdrew their application for 725 homes in 2020. This is likely to be a tactical withdrawal only, given the potential profits from a scheme of this size. We can expect the developers to continue their efforts to have the golf course added to the District Council’s list of approved sites for development. […]
