Environmental Group Opposes Major Housing in Sight of Downs
Environmental pressure group, the South Downs Society, today (17 November 2008) urged Wealden Council to reject plans for 500 houses at Polegate.
The Society, which has campaigned and raised funds for over 80 years to protect the South Downs and ensure they can be enjoyed by the public, has come out against a major planning application at Honey Farm on the west edge of Polegate at the foot of the Downs.
“Government wants Wealden to find land for an additional 3,000 homes over and above the current targets, but this isn’t the right place,” says the Society’s Planning Officer Steve Ankers. “This site would be extremely conspicuous from the Downs and planners are required to protect the setting of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty as well as the hills themselves. This site is not allocated for development on any approved statutory plan and any large housing estate here would mean creeping urbanisation along the foot of the Downs, night-time lighting and possible noise pollution.”
The Society is also concerned that the development would have a significant adverse effect on the setting of Wootton Manor and its parkland setting.