Cuck-stye judgement day looming

Judgement day is looming for the proposed Cuck-stye development – merging Ansty and Cuckfield with 1,450 houses – as the plan is due to be considered by Mid Sussex District councillors.

Deputy Chief Executive of MSDC Judy Holmes has informed our two local parish councils that they are due to recommend approval of the Ansty Farms proposals, submitted by the developer Fairfax.

The final decision will be made by twelve councillors on the planning committee who have recently rejected officer’s recommendations on another local development, as they had sound grounds on which to object.

Members of the community-wide Cuck-stye campaign have been busy for some weeks compiling an evidence-based 35-page dossier, with the help of a team of consultants and legal support, demonstrating comprehensively why the evidence shows the plan is not sustainable.

They also reported back to the community in a wellattended briefing session at the Talbot pub last month, led by Cuckfield Parish Council Chair Andy Burton and Giles King, Chair of the Cuckfield Society.

This campaign report along with a 2-minute film has been sent to all officers and members of the planning committee, who will also have been provided with a range of officer’s own reports, explaining why they now back the development.

At the committee just three representatives of the campaign will have very limited time slots to make the case against the development. Cuckfield District Councillor Jim Knight, who is not on the committee will also have an opportunity, unconstrained by time limits, to make the case against Cuck-stye.

“We have left no stone unturned in the drive to ensure that we have provided a very professional, evidencebased case to MSDC, thanks to input from a range of consultants and advice from our KC,” said Simon Stokes, Chair of Ansty and Staplefield Parish Council. “I am confident that the councillors will make a balanced judgement in our favour, but there’s little doubt the case will then go to appeal,” he added.

Cuck-stye fundraiser boosts campaign as Examination looms

A summer fundraiser provided a welcome boost to the Cuck-stye campaign. The well-attended event organised by the Cuckfield Society was hosted by Sue and Bryan Mayou in the grounds of Cuckfield Park.

The campaign is working hard to raise sufficient funds for legal representation at the all-important planning examinations due to start at the end of October. The Cuck-stye plan proposed by the local developer Fairfax is to build 1,450 homes between Ansty and Cuckfield. This is being strongly resisted by the two parish councils who say they can prove, with the help of expert evidence, that the site is not sustainable.

“As the MSDC District Plan shows, we can more than meet housing targets, especially with the neighbouring Brookleigh development where 3,500 housing are currently being built,” said Simon Stokes, Co-chair of the Stop Cuck-stye Action Group.

Officers from MSDC will robustly defend the District Plan, which doesn’t currently include the Cuck-stye plan, and say that any changes to planning rules under the new government will not affect this process as it will be judged against the existing national planning rules.

It’s expected the Examination will sit for around 12 days and the newly appointed Planning Inspector, Louise Nurser, will hear evidence from all sides, including developers who will want to argue they their proposals are more suitable that the ones already allocated.

“We still need to raise more funds to ensure our dedicated legal team can comprehensively meet the challenge head on. We are planning a further fundraising event in the autumn and hope as many locals as possible will attend the Examination in Haywards Heath. This support will undoubtedly be noted by the Inspector,” added Simon.

Donations via the Cuckfield Society and will attract vital gift aid, along with the Say-No-to-Cuck-stye website which provides a second route.