Consultation has now closed for the draft Neighbourhood Plan. Thank you for all the submissions we have received during our 6 weeks consultation period. We have received very constructive feedback from the community and consultees, which will help us to refine our policy's and background detail. During April we will revise the plan and when complete it will be sent to Mid Sussex District Council for the final consultations before being sent for examination by an appointed examiner.
Full details of the plan and progress made to date can be found at our new dedicated website to http://www.cuckfieldplan.com/
The Cuckfield Neighbourhood Plan (CNP) is a real opportunity for Cuckfield residents to influence how Cuckfield develops over the next twenty years and is part of the coalition government’s Localism Bill.
The Village Appraisal (2000), Parish Plan (2007) and Village Design Statement (2011) have made clear the concern in
the village about the amount and location of unplanned new housing and the potential damage to the rural character of
the surrounding countryside. The Neighbourhood Plan is the best means available to Cuckfield to control future building
in the village over the next 20 years. It gives residents the right to say how much and what sort of housing is needed and
where it should be located. It is also an opportunity to think about what other facilities the village needs.
The Neighbourhood Plan builds on our previous work but, unlike the Parish Plan, it carries statutory weight. Subject to
its approval by you, it will be used in deciding future planning decisions that affect the parish. It considerably
strengthens our ability to guide development in Cuckfield in a way that reflects the priorities and needs expressed by the
majority of those who responded to the previous consultations.
The Neighbourhood Plan is being led by the Parish Council with other residents who have joined the group with
specialist expertise. Cuckfield is fortunate to have been allocated £20,000 by the Government to be a ‘frontrunner’. To
date, this has enabled the group to undertake a detailed Landscape Character Assssment and to engage a highly
experienced professional planner to assist in preparing a sound and robust plan.
A village-wide Housing Needs survey is also to be undertaken shortly by Action in Rurual Sussex. This will provide very
important information to guide the Neighbourhood Plan. Whether or not you are in housing need, please ensure you
complete this form as a good response rate is essential to provide evidence for the Plan.
The Plan must be developed by the village for the village and requires the majority approval of those residents voting in
a referendum. The Neighbourhood Plan Group is keen to hear from everybody, to keep everyone up-to-date with progress
and able to comment. Articles have already appeared in the Parish Council Review, we have a facebook page and there
are updates on the new website http://www.cuckfieldplan.com/. The website gives you the opportunity to assist/join the Group.