Block of flats refused again at planning committee meeting
Plans to build a three-storey block of flats in Haywards Heath have been refused by Mid Sussex District Council for a second time.
The application, next to Kilnwood Apartments, Rocky Lane, was given a unanimous thumbs-down at a planning committee meeting.
Submitted by Cross Homes (Sussex) Ltd, the plans were first turned down in April 2021, with the committee describing them as ‘overbearing’.
The committee’s views were no different the second time around. Michael Pulfer (Con, Haywards Heath – Franklands) said that when Kilnwood Apartments had been approved the developer had made a point of pledging to plant trees and carry out landscaping to reduce the impact of the three blocks.
Gary Marsh (Con, Ardingly and Balcombe) agreed, saying that adding another block would contradict what had previously been approved.
While three of the nine flats would have been classed as affordable, the committee did not feel the positives outweighed the negatives.
They agreed with the officers’ recommendation to refuse the application on the grounds that it would have ‘a significantly harmful impact on the semi rural character of the area’.
To view the application visit pa.midsussex.gov.uk and search for DM/21/3763.