Hill Place Farm East Grinstead Presentation to East Grinstead Town Council Monday 4 th August 2014

The presentation 1.About Linden Homes 2.Housing and planning policy context 3.The site 4.Constraints and opportunities 5.Emerging proposals 6.Site location 7.Highways and access 8.Public open space 9.Potential community benefits 10.Next steps 11.Questions

About Linden Homes Fifth largest housebuilder Part of the Galliford Try Group Prides itself on delivering individual, bespoke house designs Award-winning housebuilder: Best Large Housebuilder 2013 at the Housebuilder Awards Housebuilder of the Year at the Ideal Home Blue Ribbon Awards 2014 and

Housing and planning policy context The current Mid Sussex Local Plan (2004) is out of date The recent draft Mid Sussex District Plan (2013) was withdrawn (earliest adoption now February 2016) Government and national planning policy is seeking to significantly boost house building Mid Sussex District Council must meet its objectively assessed housing need East Grinstead is one of the three largest and sustainable settlements in Mid Sussex The site has previously been identified for housing development (2005 West Sussex Structure Plan & 2009 South East Plan)

The site Site measures 9.8 hectares (25 acres) Linden Homes controls additional land as required for a SANG Linden Homes’ control covers land on either side of the Bluebell Railway Greenfield land, but not AONB or green belt

Constraints and opportunities

Emerging proposals Full consultant team in place Request for EIA Scoping Opinion currently with Mid Sussex District Council Approximately 200 dwellings A range of house types and sizes, but a focus on family housing Affordable housing to meet local needs Significant green infrastructure

Site location Situated in a sustainable location within walking distance of numerous local amenities: Bus routes located on Garden Wood Road which would be connected via new pedestrian and cycle routes 1.Railway Station850m (10-11 minutes walk) 2.Sainsburys600m (7-8 minutes walk) 3.Waitrose800m (10 minutes walk) 4.Town Centre1km (12-13 minutes walk) 5.Meads Primary School1.1km (13-14 minutes walk) 6.Imberhorne School2.3km (29-30 minutes walk) 7.Leisure Centre1.3km (14-15 minutes walk)

Highways and access Vehicular access New priority junction onto Turner’s Hill Road A development of 200 homes would generate approximately: AM peak 114 movements (30 in / 84 out) PM peak 130 movements (80 in / 50 out) Two thirds (68%) likely to travel to and from East Grinstead Detailed traffic surveys have been undertaken “Development should only be prevented or refused on transport grounds where the residual cumulative impacts of development are severe.” (NPPF, para 32) Pedestrian access Turner’s Hill Road (as part of the vehicular access) Garden Wood Road (providing direct link to existing bus stops) Connections to SANG utilising the railway underpass

Public open space Public open space comprising: Children’s play space Informal green space SANG (suitable alternative natural green space)

Potential community benefits A direct investment of approximately £30 million into the local economy The delivery of much needed new housing in the area A New Homes Bonus payment of more than £1.5 million to Mid Sussex District Council and more than £375,000 to West Sussex County Council The creation of new jobs – 200 homes would require a workforce of 300 people* Contributions towards local infrastructure through a S106 agreement Opportunities for local people seeking apprenticeships in the building industry *Professor Michael Ball, Reading University, The Labour Needs of Extra Housing Output (2005)

Next steps DateAction Autumn 2014Community consultation Autumn / Winter 2014 Submission of an outline planning application Winter 2014Continued discussion with EGTC, MSDC and statutory consultees Spring 2015Possible determination of the outline planning application

Questions