The Low Weald Sussex is an area of beautiful countryside surrounded by historic rural villages.
Mayfield Market Town’s proposal for a new town encompassing 7,000 to 10,000 houses will have a catastrophic impact on all surrounding villages including: Henfield, Shermanbury, Cowfold, Woodmancote, Twineham, Albourne, Blackstone, West Grinstead, Hassocks, Hurstpierpoint, Bolney, Ashurst, New Timber, Fulking and Poynings.
Mayfield’s proposal for a huge new town would dwarf any existing settlement. Existing villages would become suburbs of Mayfield; converting these special rural places into suburban outposts. These communities have lived in harmony with each other for hundreds of years.
The Low Weald is one of Sussex’s most popular tourist destinations.
The area of land proposed by Mayfield for their development includes Blacklands Farm camping site. Blacklands is one of the South East’s most popular campsites, bringing in thousands of tourists to Henfield every year. Mayfield Market Town plan to concrete over the entire area, resulting in Henfield losing a significant source of tourist revenue. Henfield’s high street of supermarkets, shops, pubs and cafes depends on these visitors. The Bull Inn, Wheatsheaf and Royal Oak will be particularly affected.
The Sussex Prairie Gardens are the UK’s largest “naturalistic” garden and one of only a handful of large gardens created in the 20th and 21st century. Mayfield’s plan to surround the garden with development will destroy its rural appeal. The loss of these gardens and Blacklands Farm campsite will have a catastrophic impact on Henfield’s economy.
