Campaigners protest against Sharnfold Farm development plans

Plans are in the pipeline for 400 new houses to be built on the land at Sharnfold Farm on the old Eastbourne to Hailsham road.

Documents from Wealden District Council include plans for a mix of one to two-bed flats and two to five-bedroom houses - 35 per cent of which would be affordable.

The plans have raised issues with many residents who have formed a protest group. The group is worried about the loss of green space and argue the site cannot support a development of this size.

The deadline for objections around the first developments is December 15, but the group have told people to ‘keep an eye out’ for other developments coming in the same area.

Audrey Miller, a member of the group, said there was a protest walk planned but due to current restrictions and safety of the group it has been cancelled.

Instead, the group has presented a banner to show their feelings against the developments.

She said, “There is a large and ever increasing number of residents who are very concerned about the potential 400 houses to be built on this site.

“With the increased need for environmental protection and the government’s new promise to save the countryside, green spaces like Sharnfold Farm should not be concreted over.”

Christine Hanson said that the area has seen enough ‘devastation of green fields’ recently and that this development would be ‘a step too far’.

Kate Bailey said, “This is not vacant land. It is a small farm which can continue to produce local food after Brexit next month.”

A number of residents argue that the area simply cannot take on a development of this size.

Maggie Buller doesn’t see the need for more houses, and said ‘the infrastructure is not sufficient’ for the development. As well as this, she said there aren’t enough employment opportunities for people in the area.

She said, “I think it’s despicable that someone should buy a good business serving the local community and then do this.”

The increase in traffic is another point that keeps being raised. Julie Baker said there are ‘tailbacks of traffic several times a day’.

Samantha Simon said, “I cannot get out of my road in the morning. I’m worried about the level of pollution and GP shortages too. Plus, where are the children going to go to school?”

She also said that there is a poor transport network and a lack of train station at Stone Cross - something that an additional 400 homes would only make worse.

Roseanna Field also brought up the issue of traffic, and pointed out the strain on school places too.

She said, “I had my first baby earlier this year and I’m already extremely concerned about the impact the existing new houses will have when it comes to applying for a school place in a few years time.”

Amanda Bennett-Tomlin said, “Families need farms for fun days out, not housing estates that will overcrowd an already over-developed area.”

Pete and Flis Wright said that residents are in a ‘better place’ to know what is good for the environment that is ‘already abused beyond recognition’.

They said, “The current infrastructure is at breaking point with continuous road gridlocks from all directions into and out of our areas. GP’s can no longer take on more patients and are screaming ‘please stop’. Schools are over subscribed and bursting at the seams with even more budget cuts to come. Then of course this is before looking at the flood risks and wildlife destruction when we are all supposed to be saving our planet.

“It is all down to greed of landowners and government only interested in meeting housing promises, in turn capitalising on council taxes.”

Anyone wanting to get involved with the group can find it on Facebook - Stop Sharnfold Development

People can also email [email protected]

Plans for 400 houses at Sharnfold Farm