A summer fundraiser provided a welcome boost to the Cuck-stye campaign. The well-attended event organised by the Cuckfield Society was hosted by Sue and Bryan Mayou in the grounds of Cuckfield Park.

The campaign is working hard to raise sufficient funds for legal representation at the all-important planning examinations due to start at the end of October. The Cuck-stye plan proposed by the local developer Fairfax is to build 1,450 homes between Ansty and Cuckfield. This is being strongly resisted by the two parish councils who say they can prove, with the help of expert evidence, that the site is not sustainable.

“As the MSDC District Plan shows, we can more than meet housing targets, especially with the neighbouring Brookleigh development where 3,500 housing are currently being built,” said Simon Stokes, Co-chair of the Stop Cuck-stye Action Group.

Officers from MSDC will robustly defend the District Plan, which doesn’t currently include the Cuck-stye plan, and say that any changes to planning rules under the new government will not affect this process as it will be judged against the existing national planning rules.

It’s expected the Examination will sit for around 12 days and the newly appointed Planning Inspector, Louise Nurser, will hear evidence from all sides, including developers who will want to argue they their proposals are more suitable that the ones already allocated.

“We still need to raise more funds to ensure our dedicated legal team can comprehensively meet the challenge head on. We are planning a further fundraising event in the autumn and hope as many locals as possible will attend the Examination in Haywards Heath. This support will undoubtedly be noted by the Inspector,” added Simon.

Donations via the Cuckfield Society and will attract vital gift aid, along with the Say-No-to-Cuck-stye website which provides a second route.