200-home countryside scheme at Land At Foxhole Farm, Foxhole Lane, Bolney

What was proposed

The outline scheme proposed up to 200 homes, affordable housing, a community building, education land, access, open space and supporting infrastructure.

“Proposal: Outline application (appearance, landscaping, layout and scale reserved), for the erection of up to 200 residential dwellings, including affordable housing; a community building (use class F1) encompassing land for education provision, together with associated access, ancillary parking and landscaping; the creation of a vehicular access point from the A272 Cowfold Road, and pedestrian and cycle only access to The Street; and creation of a network of roads,…”

“Purpose of Report 1.1 To consider the recommendation of the Assistant Director for Planning and Sustainable Economy on the application for planning permission as detailed above. Executive Summary 2.1 This application seeks outline planning permission for the erection of up to 200 residential dwellings, including affordable housing; a community building (use class F1) encompassing land for education provision, together with associated access, ancillary parking and…”

Officer report

Who spoke at the meeting

The parish council chair, three residents and a ward member spoke against the application; representatives of the developer, transport consultant and charity spoke in favour.

What members debated

Members discussed highway safety, traffic, countryside loss, the community building, the housing land supply, the emerging allocation and the risk of an appeal.

“A Member expressed concern and cynicism over the application and site, noting the developer would sell the site at the first opportunity and he disagreed with using a charity to influence the application. He had severe concerns regarding the highway issues, access to the site and erosion of the countryside and existing village.”

“Members discussed the Council’s lack of a 5-year supply of deliverable housing sites and agreed with the Member’s comments about traffic congestion in several parts of the District.”

Minutes

The vote and decision

Members approved the application with nine votes in favour, subject to conditions, a legal agreement and the stated infrastructure, travel, open-space, biodiversity and affordable-housing requirements.

“Planning permission was granted subject to the conditions listed in Appendix A and the update sheet, the completion of a section 106 legal agreement to secure the required infrastructure contributions, Travel Plan, open space, the biodiversity net gain requirements and the necessary affordable housing.”

“The proposal fails to provide the required affordable housing, the infrastructure contributions and the biodiversity net gain requirements. The application therefore conflicts with Policies DP20, DP31 and DP38 of the Mid Sussex District Plan and the Mid Sussex Supplementary Planning Documents ‘Affordable Housing’ and ‘Development Infrastructure and Contributions’.”

Minutes