Residents of Hurstpierpoint, a village in West Sussex known for its rural setting and proximity to the South Downs, are fiercely opposing plans for the construction of approximately 5,900 new homes. Campaigners argue that the proposed development, part of the draft Mid-Sussex District Plan, will result in the village losing its distinct identity and merging with neighboring towns like Hassocks and Burgess Hill, creating an "urban sprawl."
The proposed housing allocations are in line with the UK government's national target to build 1.5 million new homes by 2029. However, locals are concerned about the impact on existing infrastructure, including schools which are already at capacity. "The main fear is infrastructure, and the total abundance of people and cars. It will be utter chaos," said Hurstpierpoint resident Paula Mearns. The "Keep Hurst a Village" campaign group has mobilized a significant portion of the 7,000-resident community to protest the plans.
Among the contentious proposals is a development of 750 homes spanning multiple parishes, including Hurstpierpoint, Hassocks, Sayers Common, and Burgess Hill. A specific point of contention is the potential development on College Lane, a parcel of land that currently serves as a green buffer between Hurstpierpoint and Hassocks. An earlier application to build on this site was rejected in 2013 specifically to preserve the boundary between the two communities.
Laura Galloway, an organizer for the "Keep Hurst a Village" campaign, described the opposition as a "David v Goliath" struggle against well-resourced developers and a local authority system they believe is not serving residents' interests. She also criticized the public consultation process by Mid Sussex District Council as "deeply flawed and, at times, obstructive," and noted a lack of substantial support from their local Member of Parliament.
Alison Bennett, the Liberal Democrat MP for Mid Sussex, has stated that the scale of the housing targets was imposed on the council by the government's Planning Inspectorate late in the plan's examination process. She explained that the council had to identify additional sites on short notice, including some previously rejected ones, leading to significant impacts, particularly in the southern district. Bennett emphasized the difficulty of pitting communities against each other over development sites.
A spokesperson for Mid Sussex District Council indicated that the draft local plan has not yet been finalized by government planning inspectors and that all public consultation responses would be forwarded for consideration. The council's stated aim is to foster a "thriving, attractive and resilient" local community while improving the well-being and quality of life for residents.
Hurstpierpoint is also in the news due to a separate planning row involving YouTube personalities Zoe Sugg (Zoella) and Alfie Deyes, who are seeking retrospective planning permission for a stable, shepherd's huts, and a wildlife pond on a five-acre plot near their mansion. Some residents have objected to this development, citing concerns about its impact on the area's character.
