Controversial plans by Eton College to develop 450 acres of greenbelt land in East Sussex have ignited fierce opposition from local residents and officials, who fear the project will obliterate the centuries-old hamlet of East Chiltington.
The proposed North Barnes Farm development, modeled after Prince Charles's Poundbury in Dorset, aims to construct 3,250 homes. This would dramatically increase the population of East Chiltington, a village with around 400 residents, to an estimated 6,000. The development is also projected to engulf two neighboring villages, creating a new town of over 10,000 inhabitants. Residents argue this scale of development would effectively 'wipe out' the existing rural parish, which has remained largely unchanged for approximately 1,000 years.
Concerns extend beyond the immediate impact on East Chiltington. The planned site is adjacent to the South Downs National Park, raising alarms about the destruction of wildlife habitats and increased pollution from traffic and congestion. The area is already reportedly experiencing daily gridlock at key junctions.
This is the second attempt by Eton College to develop this land. A similar proposal in 2021 was rejected by planning authorities who recognized East Chiltington as a rare undeveloped area in East Sussex. However, proponents of the new scheme suggest it may gain traction due to recent government announcements aimed at relaxing planning laws to encourage new home construction on undeveloped land near train stations. East Chiltington is located two miles from Plumpton, a village with a train station.
Steve Needham, leader of the protest group Don't Urbanise the Downs, criticized the plans as a way to 'swell Eton's already well-lined coffers' at the expense of the environment and local community. He described the site as productive farmland with ancient hedgerows and footpaths, essential for conservation and wildlife.
James MacCleary, the Liberal Democrat MP for Lewes, echoed these concerns, stating that the development is inappropriate for the location, lacks necessary infrastructure, and poses significant environmental risks. He specifically highlighted worries about traffic generation and the carbon impact of additional vehicles.
Welbeck Land, the developers collaborating with Eton College, are planning an eight-week public consultation period. The initial event is scheduled for this weekend at Plumpton Racecourse, with a protest against the scheme already anticipated. Welbeck Land aims to submit a planning application for the first phase of the development by the end of the year.
Alistair Watson, chief executive of Welbeck Land, defended the proposal by citing the need for more housing to address rising property prices and rents in the Lewes district. He stated that concentrating development in one location is more efficient than piecemeal construction and that brownfield sites alone are insufficient to meet local housing demands. Watson emphasized that the North Barnes Farm development offers an opportunity for sustainable growth close to a well-connected train station, and that the plans include provisions for a new school, nursery, health center, sports hub, and parkland.
