Protecting one of Haywards Heath's last remaining open green spaces from unnecessary development.
Crest Nicholson want to build 50 houses on the fields west of Gatesmead. The site isn't in the council's development plan. We believe it should stay that way.
Crest Nicholson, a national housebuilder listed on the London Stock Exchange, are proposing to build approximately 50 homes on 11 acres of open grassland west of Gatesmead, off Old Wickham Lane.
Their proposal includes:
Crest Nicholson describe the site as "well enclosed by mature trees and hedgerows" in a "visually-contained setting." To residents, it is known as Wickham Fields — an area of open grassland that has been used by dog walkers, families, and the wider community for generations.
The site is listed in Mid Sussex District Council's Strategic Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment as SHELAA site 988 — "Land to the north of Old Wickham Lane." Crest Nicholson have also referred to the development under the working name "Copperfield" in planning documents.
Mid Sussex District Council assessed this site when preparing their new District Plan. They chose not to allocate it for housing. This proposal is speculative — it sits outside the council's planned development strategy for Haywards Heath.
Crest Nicholson submit a Built Heritage Statement for a development they call "Copperfield" at Old Wickham Lane. This is submitted as part of Mid Sussex District Council's Regulation 19 consultation, arguing the site should be allocated for housing. Their own report acknowledges that nearby listed buildings could have their settings affected by development.
Mid Sussex District Council submit their new District Plan (2021–2039) to the government for independent examination. Wickham Fields (SHELAA site 988) is not included. The council assessed it and did not select it for housing.
Crest Nicholson, through their planning consultants Lucid Planning Ltd, submit a Hearing Statement to the District Plan Examination under Matter 6 (site selection). They argue SHELAA site 988 should be added to the plan as a housing allocation.
The Planning Inspector conducting the examination (Jonathan Bore MRTPI) issues a clarification: the Matter 6 hearing will not accept representations about omitted sites. The session will examine the council's site selection process at a high level only, focusing on sites that were allocated. This effectively closes the door on Crest Nicholson's attempt to get the site added through the examination.
Crest Nicholson launch a public consultation for "Land West of Gatesmead" via haywardsheath.consultationonline.co.uk. The consultation presents plans for approximately 50 homes with 30% affordable housing and vehicular access from Gatesmead. This consultation is now closed.
District Plan Examination hearings begin.
Matter 6 hearing (site selection) takes place. As per the Inspector's clarification, this does not reopen the question of whether Wickham Fields should be allocated.
Wickham Fields is one of the last remaining areas of open grassland in this part of Haywards Heath. Here is why we believe this development should not go ahead.
Mid Sussex District Council assessed this site and chose not to allocate it for housing. The new District Plan (2021–2039) does not include Wickham Fields. Crest Nicholson's proposal is speculative — it works against the council's development strategy, not with it.
The Haywards Heath Neighbourhood Plan, adopted in December 2016 with 90.1% public support, sets out a vision for the town that includes "the countryside on its doorstep" as a core feature. Policy DP12 of the District Plan restricts development outside built-up area boundaries to protect the countryside.
This is one of the last open fields in the area. It is used daily by dog walkers, families, and residents of all ages. Green spaces like this support mental and physical health, provide space for exercise and recreation, and give the area its character.
Once built on, this land is gone permanently.
Two Grade II* listed buildings are in the immediate vicinity. Grade II* means "particularly important, of more than special interest" — only 5.8% of listed buildings carry this designation.
Wickham Farmhouse (Historic England List Entry 1286539) — a late 16th century lobby entrance house of "fine quality" with rare surviving internal features, on a site first documented in 1279. Built of red brick and Sussex sandstone with a Horsham stone slab roof.
Sunte House (Historic England List Entry 1192455) — a Queen Anne house approximately 300 years old, whose "remnant countryside setting" forms part of its heritage significance.
Crest Nicholson's own heritage report acknowledges that development in this area could affect the significance of these buildings through alteration of their settings. A previous proposal by Banner Homes for just 15 homes near Sunte House at Gander Green was rejected on appeal, partly on heritage grounds.
Local services are under significant pressure. Schools, GP surgeries, and roads are already at or near capacity. Adding 50 households — potentially 100 or more additional residents with vehicles — will increase demand on services that are not designed to absorb it.
All vehicular traffic would enter and exit through Gatesmead, a quiet residential street not built for this volume of use.
The National Planning Policy Framework recognises infrastructure capacity as a legitimate ground for refusing development.
Policy DP13 of the District Plan protects the strategic gaps between settlements. Development on sites like this chips away at the open land that separates distinct communities.
The Lindfield Society has noted that Lindfield's separation from Haywards Heath is "constantly under challenge" from speculative applications.
Recent planning decisions in Haywards Heath show that well-evidenced objections make a difference:
Add your name to show the strength of local opposition. The more signatures we have before the planning application is submitted, the stronger the message to councillors and the planning committee.
Sign NowWhen Crest Nicholson submit their formal application, Mid Sussex will open a public consultation — typically 21 days. Individual objection letters carry significantly more weight than petition signatures. Even a short, personalised letter matters. We will publish the reference number and deadline as soon as it appears.
Planning Portal ↗Let your local councillors and MP know how you feel about this proposal. Councillors sit on the planning committee that will decide the application.
Write to Them ↗Share this page with your neighbours. Talk to people who use the fields. The more residents who are aware before the application is submitted, the faster we can respond when the objection window opens.
If you have seen notable wildlife on or around Wickham Fields — bats, birds of prey, hedgehogs, slow worms — please let us know. Documented sightings strengthen the case for an independent ecology survey. The nearby Colwell Farm site was found to harbour hazel dormice, one of the UK's rarest mammals, which contributed to that application being refused.
Report a SightingGet in touch or ask to be added to our mailing list. We'll email you when the planning application is submitted and when key deadlines are approaching.
joinus@save-wickham-fields.org