Cuckfield Golf Course - remodelling using landfill

(Article taken from Cuckfield Life's Parish Council Newsletter)

Remodelling using inert landfill proposal

Cuckfield Parish Council and Ansty & Staplefield Parish Council hosted a public meeting for the community and all interested parties to discuss the proposed plans for the remodelling of Cuckfield Golf course using Inert landfill. The application has a potential for major impact on both villages and the respective Parish Councils wanted to give the community the opportunity to understand the proposals.

It is important to understand the matter is not a formal planning application at this stage, with the final decision being made by West Sussex County Council. 

Both Parish Councils asked the applicant to share the proposal and to listen to feedback from the community. 

The meeting was held at the Village Hall on Monday 20th November and was well attended by over 150 members of the community putting forward a robust set of questions to the proposals. 

Community concerns were raised over a number of topics, including the quantity and frequency of HGV movements to bring in the landfill required for remodelling, numerous environmental issues on the landscape and the type of material being bought in.

The economic feasibility was also challenged along with the significant disruption to adjacent businesses and neighbours.

The applicant and Golf Club owner, Robert Dickman, explained the golf club needed investment and remodelling of the course to attract new members and attract tournaments and competitions. 

Paul Taylor of PT-CE Limited represented the agents acting on behalf of Cuckfield Golf Course and provided an overview on the plans, landscape and design, ecology and HGV traffic considerations. The meeting concluded after 2½ hours with the applicant taking away the community concerns before they submit a planning application.

All the applicants and WSCC documentation and scoping documentation is available on the Parish Council website and Facebook page. A recording of the public meeting is also available at https://youtu.be/8yIRCT0LlNg

The Parish Council will continue to monitor the situation and provide further updates via the website and newsletter.

Cuckfield Walking Race on Bank Holiday (17th April 2017)

Cuckfield residents are limbering up for the annual Independent State of Cuckfield Walking Race and Children’s Easter Egg Hunt, which takes place on Easter Monday, 17th April 2017.

Don’t be caught out by the change in venue! This year the event starts and finishes at Haywards Heath Rugby Club on Whiteman’s Green (not the recreation ground).

The actual course is unchanged, going for approximately five miles via London Road, High Street, Ansty, Deaks Lane and back to the Rugby Club. 

There is an entry fee of £2 per person, and walkers must be at least 16 years old to take part. Entrants can register at the Rugby Club from 9.30am, and the first walker leaves at 10am.

There are trophies and medals to be won for the men’s and women’s handicap race, the fastest man and woman, and the fastest senior walker, which is open to those over 60 years of age. Plus there are the men’s and women’s team trophies, awarded to the fastest combined time achieved by a team of three walkers.

Walkers are also invited to wear fancy dress, and there are special prizes for the best outfits. 

While the walkers are out on the course, children are invited to join the annual Easter Egg Hunt, which starts around 10.30am. For more information, please contact Jim at the White Harte, or phone: 01444 413454, or email: independent_state_of_cuckfield@hotmail.com.

Staplefield Village Fête

There’s no doubt that Staplefield was the place to be on Bank Holiday Monday when the village staged one of the most successful fêtes in its history. 
     Hundreds of families descended on the village green to enjoy an afternoon of traditional events and activities, from a Punch and Judy Show to classic cars.
     “It was quite extraordinary, and definitely one of the most successful yet,” said committee member Elspeth Montgomery. “It was a lovely busy, buzzy day and we were all delighted with the turnout!
     “People have described it as a ‘Downton Abbey’ type of Fête, with lots of bunting and a very traditional feel.”
     The event, which raised more than £10,000 for St Mark’s Church, the Village Hall and other Staplefield charities, was opened by local MP Nicholas Soames. Local celebrity Susannah Constantine also made a welcome return to judge the popular dog show.
     Families were kept entertained with fairground rides, a chance to meet rare owls, stalls and sideshows, and food and drink including a popular Pimms and strawberries tent and hog roast.
     Others enjoyed stepping back in time and exploring the dozens of vehicles in the classic car show, from police cars and buses, Rolls Royces and an impressive range of Morris Minors. 
     “The classic car show gets bigger every year, with the first Morris Minors arriving on the green at 8am in the morning!” said Elspeth.
     New this year was the Arts Inclusive Festival run by the Circles Network, which provided opportunities for all members the community to enjoy creative activities, from designing lettering to transforming old books into works of art.

See all pictures from the day on pages 16/17.