Controversial Ninfield housing development approved

Proposals for a major housing development in Ninfield have been approved by Wealden planners. On Thursday (March 28), Wealden District Council’s planning committee south approved an application to build 55 homes at Ingrams Farm in Bexhill Road on a site which had previously been granted outline planning permission.While recommended for approval by planning officers, the application has proven to be controversial with Ninfield Parish Council and many village residents, partly due to an alternative application being put forward for the site. Cllr Crittell’s call for a final layout came in response to concerns raised by officers about the proposed layout – including the amount of parking spaces to be provided.Officers, however, recommended the application be approved subject to minor amendments. She also argued that the previous conditions, contained in the outline application, had not been adhered to by developers. But planning officers said planning conditions can only come into effect once development commences. The committee also heard arguments in favour of the application from Christopher Hearth, a planning consultant for developer Rydon Homes.Following a short discussion the reserved matters application was granted subject to further conditions. For further details see application reference WD/2018/1732/MRM on the Wealden District Council website.