Welcome to Keep Hurst A Village!
Our Mission
Keep Hurst a Village is a community group organized to oppose a large housing development bordering College Lane, Belmont Lane, and Wickham Hill.
The field bordering College Lane, Belmont Lane, and Wickham Hill is currently owned by the developer Thakeham, which is proposing to build 75 houses on the site.
This location has a significant planning history. In 2013, a previous application for 81 houses was appealed all the way to the Secretary of State. The appeal was ultimately refused on the grounds that development here would close the "local gap" between Hurstpierpoint and Hassocks, which is essential to maintaining their identities as distinct villages.
Current Challenges
Since that decision, developments at the Hassocks golf course and Friars Oak have made preserving this remaining gap even more critical. However, the current Government has signaled a shift toward looking more favorably on housing developments. This means we cannot rely on the previous refusal being repeated without a strong, renewed effort.
Local Impact
Beyond the loss of the village boundary, there are serious concerns regarding the destruction of local nature and wildlife habitats. Furthermore, a development of this scale would place immense strain on our village infrastructure, leading to:
- Increased traffic congestion and pollution.
- Added pressure on local schools and essential services.
We believe it is vital to protect the character of our village and the integrity of our local environment. We will be coordinating our efforts via Keep Hurst A Village to ensure our voices are heard effectively once the formal application is filed.
Get Involved
Make sure your voice is heard! email us at keephurstavillage@gmail.com