Category Archives: MSDC

Mid Sussex District Council

The Beige Plague

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The Mayfield Plague

HDC map showing the residual Mayfield scheme after MSDC opted out

In Horsham District, the infection persists. Their Strategic Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (SHELAA), January 2019, reads as follows (page 52):

This site has evolved from an area initially identified as a broad location of search following the publication of the 2010 New Market Town Study, commissioned jointly by Crawley Borough Council (CBC), Mid Sussex District Council (MSDC) and Horsham District Council (HDC). The developer has previously expressed a preferred approach for a development of up to 10,000 dwellings on land in both Horsham and Mid Sussex administrative areas. However, within HDC a development of up to 6,120 dwellings together with associated infrastructure is currently being proposed for consideration. The site falls in Woodmancote, Shermanbury and Henfield parish areas.

The site is in multiple land ownership, which may affect deliverability. Landowner interest in developing the whole site would therefore need to be carefully tested. There would also be a need for cross boundary working, with MSDC and with West Sussex County Council.

The site has a range of environmental and infrastructure constraints including an area of flood risk which would require mitigation. If developed, the site would need to create its own social, economic, transport and utilities infrastructure. Improved connectivity to the trunk road and rail network (which is some distance away) would also need to be carefully considered. Any major development would also need to take account of the retail viability of existing settlements such as Henfield. Unless allocated for development through the review of the Horsham District Planning Framework (HDPF) it is considered development would be contrary to Policies 1 to 4 and 26 of the HDPF and potentially other policies relating to the constraints of the site. It is therefore assessed as ‘Not Currently Developable’.

Bobservation 49 – Planning, Calendars & Parties

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Map of Fulking with SDNPA logoParish Council Meeting
The recent Parish Council meeting gave rise to two somewhat concerning decisions. The first was an admission by one of our District Councillors that nothing could be done to prevent the demise through neglect of two or possibly three houses in Stammers Hill even though the neighbouring properties were being adversely affected. What a strange world we live in where thousands are desperately seeking a permanent home and yet existing properties are allowed to fall into disrepair. Surely simple legislation could be enacted to penalise the owner of an empty property, possibly even to the extent of compulsory purchase, to prevent this happening. Stop Press!! I am now told by a neighbour of one of the properties concerned that refurbishment of a property is under way. Let us hope it succeeds.
The second decision was a planning application to add rooms to an existing building that has only quite recently changed hands. Why cannot people buy the right size of property in the first place rather than further reducing the existing stock of village housing of smaller properties?  I thought the somewhat casual manner in which the Parish Council endorsed the application should have considered the effect these applications have on increasing the size of properties in the village and reducing the possibility of the relatively less wealthy becoming freeholders.
In addition to this the totally ineffective South Downs National Park planners have recently granted permission for a sizeable extension to another village property.

Downland Calendar 2019
By the time you read this the launch of the Downland Calendar will probably have taken place. Jen and Richard have put a great deal of time and effort into this and at £7 it is a steal. Do please buy one of these stunning calendars for as many friends and family as you can. Proceeds are towards the refurbishment of the village hall.

Christmas Party
Do make a big effort to come to this year’s Christmas party in the village hall, 6 till 8pm on Saturday December 8, and make it a big success. Children are welcome and we will be having mulled wine as well as the usual drinks. Entrance is free but please bring a plate of savoury nibbles.

Be a Councillor

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Council elections are coming up in 2019, and it’s not just the Parish Council…

Both West Sussex and Mid Sussex are urging candidates to come forward. Just imagine what it would do for Fulking to have one of its residents as a district or county councillor.

If you are interested in serving your community, now’s the time to start thinking about it.

To find out more, or click the links below or the icons above:
Parish Council – email parishclerk@fulking.net or contact one of the councillors
District Council
County Council 
General Guidance

Kick here to park

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Kick here to park
For purposes of governance, Fulking falls within the Mid Sussex District but our local shops are mostly in Horsham District (Henfield, Steyning). Nevertheless, residents who are unlucky enough to find themselves needing to park in Burgess Hill, East Grinstead or Haywards Heath on a regular basis may wish to read this letter from the MSDC Cabinet Member for Service Delivery.

MSDC (finally) vetoes Mayfield

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No Mayfield Market Town
LAMBS writes:

Today (May 9th) .. the deadline passes for any legal challenges on the newly adopted [Mid Sussex] District Plan. Mayfield Market Towns had until today to launch a legal challenge following the Plan’s adoption on March 28th. The statutory six week period allows unsuccessful developers like MMT to find ways to challenge a District Plan in accordance with Section 113 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. However, with no challenges submitted, the Plan is now set in stone and MMT is effectively ‘locked out’ of the District.

More here.