Six apartments at Kilnwood Apartments, Rocky Lane, Haywards Heath
Summary of planning committee decision
Decided by Mid Sussex Planning Committee on 13 Aug 2026.
What was proposed
Six two-bedroom apartments were proposed in a three-storey block, with access, parking and landscaping.
“Proposal: Proposed 6 two-bedroom apartments within a 3-storey apartment block (revised plans and further information received 16.12.2025, 18.12.2025 and 20.05.2026)”
Officer report
The site and surroundings
The 0.2-hectare site west of Kilnwood Apartments lies within Haywards Heath’s built-up area, beside the railway, A272 and protected trees.
“The proposal therefore fails to accord with policies DP26 and DP37 of the Mid Sussex District Plan, policies E9 and H8 of the Haywards Heath Neighbourhood Plan, the Mid Sussex Design Guide SPD and the relevant provisions of the NPPF. Site and Surroundings 9.1 The application relates to an area of land, 0.2 hectares in size, located to the west of Kilnwood Apartments.”
Officer report
Earlier applications
Earlier proposals included permitted development of 30 homes and refused applications for five homes and nine apartments, with one refusal dismissed at appeal.
“Planning permission is sought to construct six apartments, within a single three storey building, with associated access, parking and landscaping. Relevant Planning History 8.1 DM/15/5107 - Outline application including access details for the development of up to 30 residential dwellings including vehicular access, open space, sustainable urban drainage systems; and associated landscaping, infrastructure and earthworks. Permitted.”
“Reason for refusal: The development would have a significantly harmful impact on the semi-rural character of the area, through the urbanisation of a prominent location that also impedes views to the South Downs along Rocky Lane. The scheme would also result in the loss of agreed landscaping that formed part of the Kilnwood Apartments development.”
Officer report
Consultation responses
Highways and several technical consultees raised no objection subject to conditions, while the Tree Officer objected over landscaping, spacing and landscape views.
“WSCC Highways Authority No objection subject to condition WSCC Minerals and Waste No comment WSCC Planning S106 contributions sought: Library - £2,384 Primary Education - £15,529 Secondary Education - £15,256 TAD - £10,368 Ecology No objection subject to conditions District Licencing Officer No objection subject to condition MSDC Section 106 & Infrastructure Manager…”
“S106 contribution sought: Community Buildings - £7,709 Equipped Play Space - £10,745 Other Outdoor Play - £8,550 Formal Sports - £7,661 Local Community Infrastructure - £5,483 MSDC Drainage Engineer No objection subject to condition MSDC Contaminated Land No objection subject to conditions MSDC Environmental Protection No objection subject to conditions MSDC Tree Officer Objection.”
Officer report
The committee vote
Members approved the recommendation with seven votes in favour, three against and one abstention.
“For the full transcript of the meeting, please follow the link to the YouTube channel. Planning Committee - 13 August 2026 - YouTube. 1:58:21 – 2:. The Chairman took Members to a vote on the recommendations in the report. These were approved with 7 in favour, 3 against and 1 abstention.”
Minutes
The decision
Planning permission was refused for the reasons set out in Appendix A.
“Planning permission was refused for the reasons outlined at Appendix A.”
Minutes
Sources
- Mid Sussex Planning Committee minutes, 13 August 2026
- Agenda and papers (council website)
Source: Plota analysis of Mid Sussex's committee minutes and officer report. Quotations are the council's own words; headings and summaries are Plota's.
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See the API →At the meeting
- Committee
- Mid Sussex Planning Committee
- Council
- Mid Sussex
- Date
- Thursday 13 August 2026
- Recommendation
- Officers recommended refusal
- Committee decided
- Refused
- Vote
- 7 for refusal, 3 against, 1 abstained
- Minutes
- The council's minutes
- Meeting
- Agenda and papers (council website)
- Application
- The application (council website)
- All decisions
- Mid Sussex committee decisions →
Source: Plota analysis of the minutes.
This committee's year
32 decisions in the 12 months to this meeting, 3 against officer advice.
Source: Plota analysis of the committee's minutes.