More than 200 objections to Mannings Heath homes plan

Charles Church is proposing to build on land at Saddlers Farm off Winterpit Lane, but the scheme has attracted widespread opposition from villagers since it was first mooted back in 2013.

The developer has submitted a planning application to Horsham District Council and more than 200 letters have been received objecting to proposals.

Nuthurst Parish Council voted to oppose plans at a meeting attended by more than 60 people on Wednesday July 29 as the site was not included in the parish’s emerging neighbourhood plan.

The plan has passed an examination and will go to a referendum in September with a few modifications.

Objectors argued that 40 homes represented overdevelopment in a village of Mannings Heath’s size, and raised issues over road safety on narrow country lanes, and whether there were an adequate amount of extra school places.

Charles Church held a public exhibition late last year, but members of Mannings Heath Action Group, which represents more than 260 residents, has argued that the site is within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is also outside the built up area boundary of the village.

Potential impact on wildlife and the inadequacy of supporting infrastructure such as shops and services to cope with the new residents has also been discussed.

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