NEW — 15 MAY 2026. Mid Sussex District Council has added Wickham Fields to its long-list of 35 additional housing sites under the District Plan examination. The decision window opens this summer.
What's being proposed
Crest Nicholson — a national housebuilder — wants to build 49 homes on around 11 acres of open grassland west of Gatesmead, off Old Wickham Lane. All vehicle access would come through Gatesmead, a quiet residential street.
Council reference: SHELAA site 988. Developer's working name: "Copperfield."
What just happened
The site was assessed and rejected at Regulation 19 in 2021. It was not in the new District Plan. We believed the examination route was closed.
Then on 24 March 2026 the District Plan Inspector wrote to Mid Sussex District Council ordering them to find sites for 110–210 additional homes per year to absorb unmet housing need from Brighton and Crawley.
On 15 May 2026 the council published its long-list of 35 candidate sites. Land north of Old Wickham Lane — 49 homes — is on it.
Why this is wrong
- Not in the plan. The council assessed and rejected this site in 2021. Nothing on the ground has changed since.
- Heritage harm. Two Grade II* listed buildings sit immediately adjacent — Wickham Farmhouse (c. 1580) and Sunte House (Queen Anne, c. 1700s). Their settings are part of why they are listed. Crest Nicholson's own consultants admit development "may affect the significance of these designated built heritage assets."
- Protected wildlife. Residents have documented black redstart (Schedule 1 protected, <100 UK breeding pairs), slow worm, green and great spotted woodpeckers, buzzards, sparrowhawks and red kites on the site.
- Infrastructure stretched. Single-track residential access through Gatesmead. Schools and GP services already at capacity.
- Conflicts with adopted policy. Haywards Heath Neighbourhood Plan (90.1% public support, 2016). District Plan Policy DP12 (countryside protection) and DP13 (preventing coalescence).
- Cumulative impact. Five other candidate sites sit within walking distance — Lyoth Lane, Snowdrop Lane, two at North Colwell, Lunce's Hill (around 230 homes combined before Wickham Fields).
Strength of opposition
Over 1,000 local residents have already signed the petition.
Where we are now
24 MarInspector orders extra sites (IDJB-12)
15 AprCouncil methodology approved (MS-14)
15 MayLong-list of 35 sites published. Wickham Fields included.
19 MayStory breaks (Sussex Express)
May–JulCouncil in-combination testing on 35 sites
End JulCouncil shortlist to Inspector — kept or dropped
Later 2026Six-week public consultation (formal objection window)
2027Inspector's final report & Plan adoption
Two windows to influence
1. Now → end July: letters to councillors and MP, before the shortlist is decided.
2. Later in 2026: the formal six-week public consultation.
What you can do — today
- Sign the petition at the URL below
- Email Cllr Gary Marsh (your district councillor): gary.marsh@midsussex.gov.uk
- Email Alison Bennett MP: alison.bennett.mp@parliament.uk
- Tell three neighbours — print and pass on this sheet
- Join the mailing list to be ready when the consultation opens
Full story · sign · join
save-wickham-fields.org