100 homes at Land adjacent to Seghers Place, Uckfield

What was proposed

The application proposed 100 homes with access, parking, landscaping, open space, earthworks and related infrastructure.

“Application WD/2025/1902/MAJ Report to: Majors Planning Committee Date: March 2026 Site address: LAND ADJACENT TO SEGHERS PLACE, UCKFIELD TN22 5BU Proposal: ERECTION OF 100 RESIDENTIAL DWELLINGS INCLUDING ACCESS FROM THE A22 UCKFIELD BYPASS, PARKING, LANDSCAPING, OPEN SPACE, EARTHWORKS AND ASSOCIATED INFRASTRUCTURE.”

“Proposal Full planning permission is sought for the erection of 100 residential dwellings including access from the A22 Uckfield Bypass, parking, landscaping, open space, earthworks and associated infrastructure. As this is a full application the layout as set out below is the proposed scheme and not an illustrative plan.”

Officer report

The site

The site is a 5.72-hectare agricultural field beside the approved Ridgewood Place development, with woodland, flood and ecological constraints.

“Site and Surroundings The site is located on the outskirts of Uckfield, to the east of the A22, south of Victoria Playpark and to the west of Ridgewood. In addition, the site adjoins the approved “Ridgewood Place” mixed use development for up to 1000 dwellings (WD/2015/0209/MEA). The site is a square shaped plot of grade 3b agricultural land of approximately 5.72ha.”

“Within the 7km Zone of Influence of the Ashdown Forest Special Protection Area (SPA) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC). • Within a Biodiversity Opportunity Area (BOA). • Flood Zone 2/3 runs along the southern boundary of the site. • Adjacent to an area identified as being at risk of surface water flooding. Identified in a surface water safeguard zone. • Within an area identified as 3b in Agricultural Land Evaluation.”

Officer report

Planning history

There were no site-specific applications, while earlier advice found the principle of up to 100 homes acceptable.

“Relevant Planning History There are no site-specific applications although there is a detailed history for the sites adjacent to the development area. These details can be found at the Wealden Planning website. Pre-Application Advice In February 2025 a pre-application discussion was undertaken where the principle of development for up to 100 residential dwellings at this site was discussed. The principle of development in this location was assessed as acceptable.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Most technical consultees raised no objection subject to conditions, while the Town Council and Police and Crime Commissioner objected.

“Consultation Responses The following consultation responses and representations have been received. These responses are summarised. Full versions of the consultation responses and representations are available on the case file available on the Council’s website (link above). Statutory Consultees Highway Authority – No objection, subject to conditions and legal agreement. • No objection to the principle of development on highway safety or capacity grounds.”

“Cycle networks should be planned and designed to allow people to reach their day-to-day destinations easily, along routes that connect, are simple to navigate and are of a consistently high quality. • To provide a dog free environment for the proposed LEAP - consideration should be given to surrounding the play areas with railings and self-closing gates.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Town Clerk spoke against the application, the agent spoke in favour, and two local ward members spoke about it.

Committee debate

A proposal to defer for further liaison with the Town Council was defeated before members considered the approval motion.

“A motion was proposed by Councillor Draper, seconded by Councillor Cleaver to defer the application for the developer to liaise further with the Town Council, this was not carried.”

“A motion to proceed with a recorded vote was proposed by Councillor Cleaver, seconded by Draper, this motion was carried.”

Minutes

The vote

Five councillors voted for approval and four voted against it in the recorded vote.

“Recorded Vote: Councillors Coleshill, Collins, Everitt, Owen– Williams, Kelvin Williams voted in favour of the motion to approve full planning permission, in line with officer recommendations and subject to completion within 8 weeks of a Section 106 Agreement.”

Minutes

The decision

Permission was granted with the reported conditions and informatives, subject to completing a Section 106 agreement within eight weeks.

“RESOLVED: That full planning permission be granted subject to the conditions and informatives outlined in the report and Officer update and subject to completion, within 8 weeks of a Section 106 Agreement.”

Minutes