Residents of Hurstpierpoint, a village in West Sussex known for its rural charm and celebrity inhabitants, are fiercely opposing plans for a significant housing development that could see nearly 6,000 new homes built in the surrounding area. Campaigners argue the proposed construction would effectively merge the village with neighboring towns, leading to an "urban sprawl" and the loss of its distinct identity.
The housing allocations are part of a draft version of the Mid-Sussex District Plan, which aims to align with the government's national target of building 1.5 million new homes by 2029. Local residents, however, express deep concerns about the scale of the development and its potential impact on essential services.
"These proposals add up to 5900 new houses," stated Hurstpierpoint resident Paula Mearns. "If it goes ahead, the village will lose its identity and become an urban sprawl. People move to villages because they want somewhere quiet. But that choice will be taken away from us."
Key among the residents' worries is the strain on local infrastructure. "The main fear is infrastructure, and the total abundance of people and cars. It will be utter chaos," Mearns added. "Schools, for example, are at capacity."
The campaign group "Keep Hurst a Village" has mobilized residents, describing the opposition to the Mid-Sussex District Plan as a "David v Goliath" battle. Organizers cite frustration with the local authority's handling of public consultations and a perceived lack of support from elected representatives.
One particularly contentious proposal involves building on College Lane, a parcel of land that currently serves as a green buffer between Hurstpierpoint and the neighboring village of Hassocks. An earlier application to build on this site was rejected in 2013 to preserve the boundary between the two communities.
Alison Bennett, the Liberal Democrat MP for Mid Sussex, attributed the increased housing targets to government directives. She explained that after the council's initial plan was developed, the government's Planning Inspectorate mandated a substantially higher number of homes, forcing the council to identify additional sites on short notice. Bennett acknowledged the residents' frustration, particularly in the southern part of the district where a significant portion of the additional housing is proposed.
A spokesperson for Mid Sussex District Council stated that the local plan has not yet been signed off by government planning inspectors. All responses from the public consultation will be forwarded to the inspector for consideration and subsequently published.
Meanwhile, the village has also seen a separate planning dispute involving celebrity residents. YouTuber Zoella (Zoe Sugg) and her fiancé Alfie Deyes have submitted a belated planning application for a secure enclosure on a five-acre plot near their mansion, which includes stables and shepherd's huts for two donkeys. This project has also drawn objections from some residents who claim parts of the development were established without prior planning permission and are concerned about the impact on the area's character.