Fresh bid for 700 homes, a school and medical centre at Willingdon

Mornings Mill Farm, Polegate. SUS-170517-142236001

Previous applications to build on Mornings Mill Farm at Willingdon – and neighbouring Hindsland Farm – have been thrown out by council planners and a government inspector.

Last week a company called Danescroft launched a public consultation as it wants to build 180 new homes and a medical centre on the 16 acre Hindsland site with access on to the busy Eastbourne Road.

Danescroft said it would submit an application to Wealden District Council following the consultation which ends on Wednesday (February 24)

And now a separate planning application has been submitted to Wealden council by the Vine family for a “new sustainable neighbourhood” on the 53.35 hectare site comprising of 700 dwellings, a medical centre, a primary school, a community hall, local shops, allotments, playing fields and open space.

In a design and access statement submitted with the application, a spokesperson for the developers said, “The overall development will create a sustainable and vibrant community of 700 new homes and affordable housing as a natural urban extension to the Polegate and east Willingdon areas, contributing to the delivery of much needed housing in this part of the district.

“The masterplan will bring forward the allocation of land for the development of a two-form entry primary school to be delivered by East Sussex County Council and in a timely manner to suit their programme and needs of the developing neighbourhood.

“The development also includes the provision of a medical centre to serve the local community and one that can provide much needed care. The centre is located by the northern access off Eastbourne Road so it can be delivered as part of the early stages of development to support the needs of the existing

local community and the developing neighbourhood.”

The design and access statement also says the homes will be a variety of one to five bedroom terraced, semi-detached and detached houses and flats – 35 per cent of which will be affordable housing.