Development of 205 homes in village between Hailsham and Uckfield approved

On Thursday (October 6), Wealden District Council’s Planning Committee South approved proposals from developer Redrow Homes to build 205 houses at the Hesmonds Stud farm site off of Waldron Road in East Hoathly.

The site had previously received outline permission in 2020. While this latest scheme was not directly connected, the committee heard how this previous approval had been “a powerful material consideration” in favour of the scheme.

While recommended for approval, the scheme (which will significantly increase the size of the 400-home village) had proven to be deeply unpopular with local residents, with more than 230 letters of objection being lodged with the council.

Some of these objectors’ concerns were voiced by ward councillor Geoffrey Draper (Con), who argued the scheme had ‘fallen short’ and should be deferred so further improvements could be made.

Ultimately, however, no proposal other than approval was tabled by the committee. It was voted through with six in favour and four abstaining. The decision was met with shouts of disapproval from the public gallery.

Just before the vote, Cllr Draper said: “I think I know where this vote today is going to go and I would hope all of the residents — especially those who are part of Village Concerns, who have worked so hard, correctly, on behalf of the residents and the parish council themselves — understand that this committee has been between a rock and a hard place, as have the officers.

“A tremendous amount of work has gone on, not only in public but in private, to try and get to a resolution here. Sensible members of the East Hoathly community will understand, on this one, we have been defeated.

“But let me assure residents that with those numbers, [the] 205, and with the 55 already agreed further along South Street, I think all people will understand enough is enough.”

The development had previously been due for debate at the committee’s August meeting, but was deferred (along with several other major schemes) due to concerns that information provided by Southern Water had been insufficient to make a decision.

The deferral had come on the back of a full council motion, which (among other things) had called on Southern Water to provide more information on the impact of new housing on its sewage network when responding to planning applications.

Since then, the committee heard, the water company had provided more information, including an assurance that its network did have the capacity to accommodate the new housing.

These assurances had failed to assuage the concerns of local objectors or Cllr Draper, however.

Concerns were also raised by planning committee member Neil Cleaver. Becoming emotional as he spoke, Cllr Cleaver (Lib Dem) said: “What I believe is that Southern Water are speaking hot air. We need action and if no one on this committee is willing, I don’t know what to do.”

For further information on the development see application reference WD/2022/0341 on the Wealden District Council website.