Local Conservative councillors rallied to support north-west Hailsham residents in persuading a Wealden planning committee to block a developer proposal to build 28 new houses in Upper Horsebridge.
The Committee received verbal and written submissions from Hailsham North West Town Councillor Steve Keogh (pictured), and Hailsham New Town County Councillor Gerard Fox. They argued that the proposal:
- represented over development of an edge of settlement site,
- undermined the amenity and privacy of local residents including those in the adjacent fifty-five plot Bakers Farm Residential Park retirement homes,
- adversely impacted both local ecology and the Cuckoo trail,
- and potentially raised local flood and sewerage issues.
Wealden Planning Committee South unanimously rejected the proposal in its current form, with the verbal support of both District Council local members who are prevented from voting on matters in their own ward.
Said Cllr Keogh after the decision: “We worked incredibly hard on constructing our case. The relief, tears and joy on resident’s faces made it all worthwhile. It’s a great day to be one of their Hailsham North-West Conservative Councillors”
