"It’s a load of Ballsocks!" Sussex Hamlet Residents Fight Developers Over Housing Plans

Residents of a Sussex hamlet have united to fight a planning application which they believe would destroy the rural nature of their home forever.

Developers want to build 15 new homes at the centre of Vines Cross, a small settlement located between Heathfield and Horam. The land is on the junction of two narrow country roads - Ballsocks and Foords Lanes.

Determined to halt the house building plans, which they believe to be totally out of keeping with their hamlet, the residents have submitted almost 50 letters of objection to Wealden District Council and a held a public meeting which attracted 80 people from Vines Cross and beyond.

Chairman of the VCCA Marian Parkyn said:

“This development would change the rural character of Vines Cross for ever. If the planning application were to be granted by Wealden District Council (WDC) it would mean many more vehicles on country lanes that cannot cope with the current levels of traffic. There are real safety implications for residents and a threat to the local environment. “

WDC is one of nine local authorities to cut or delay their housebuilding plans after ministers decided to drop mandatory building targets. They join dozens of other councils in England who have stopped work on their local housebuilding plans. Vines Cross locals will be hoping that the rethink on national housing targets will halt the plans for their hamlet.

However, Vines Cross resident and local campaigner against development – Lucy Atabey warned that the Government’s change from mandatory to advisory housing targets for local authorities was no guarantee that planning applications would decrease.

“It is a war of attrition – even where local people are successful in having a planning application rejected, developers often alter their plans, reapply and take their case through a costly appeal process. 

"Every objection to a planning application counts but residents must be vigilant and keep up the pressure.”

Vines Cross residents are concerned about many issues including: road safety, light pollution, flooding risks and the threat to the nearby High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and its flora and fauna. The planned development is close to Mark Humphries’s home. Any new housing would be just a few metres from his house:

”Vines Cross is already under huge pressure from through traffic using the lanes as a shortcut to Heathfield and Horam. The first traffic comes through at 4am and builds throughout the day with significant numbers of heavy vehicles.

"It is well known that the local sewage treatment works is unable to cope with the current demands on it.  Southern Water already tankers sludge away from the works, through Vines Cross to be treated elsewhere, several times a day.

"The potential for flooding and water pollution from this proposed development is huge and a real red flag for the AONB which is so close by.”

Marian Parkyn added:

“This planning application has brought us together as a strong community. Vines Cross does not want this development and intends to fight it.”