8th October 2025

Penalty Shootout scheduled for 16th October.

Planning officers at Mid Sussex have recommended that the Cuck-stye plan — merging Ansty & Cuckfield with 1,450 houses — be given the go-ahead in the face of huge local opposition and expert evidence showing it is not a sustainable site.

It’s now down to a “penalty shootout” meeting on October 16th, where 12 District Councillors can reject the officer’s advice which realistically is the final chance to block the Fairfax plan before an inevitable appeal process.

For almost four years the Cuck-stye campaign, with widespread support from across the community, has fought the plan, demonstrating with a raft of expert planning evidence that the development is in the wrong place and breaks multiple planning policies.

The campaign also has the support of our local MP Alison Bennett who repeatedly spoke against the plan in the last general election.

“Clearly this is a very disappointing step as we have done everything possible to provide evidence proving it is not a sustainable location,” said Andy Burton, Chair of Cuckfield Parish Council.

“We are very grateful for the huge support we have had for almost four years from across the community and there is still hope that councillors will do the right thing on October 16th,” he added.

Cuckfield Councillor Malcom Avery is on the planning committee and will be voting. His colleague, Cuckfield Councillor Jim Knight is firmly against the plan and will have a chance to outline the case to vote against the officer’s recommendation.

Other speakers, allowed just three minutes to state our case, are Simon Stokes, Chair of Ansty & Cuckfield Parish Council along with Giles King, Chair of the Cuckfield Society and Michael Brown of CPRE.

Those who wish to attend in the public gallery at MSDC council officers are required to register in advance via the Council Website. Click here to view and complete the Registration Form. Those who wish to watch online may do so via the You tube Channel shown on the same link page.

Local residents are invited to assemble outside the Council Chamber on Oaklands Road, RH16 1SS at 1:30 for a peaceful show of feeling against this application. The point of contact if you would let us know if you plan to attend in person is Lindy Elphick - please email her on lindyelphick@gmail.com . You will be able to view the discussion via video link if the Chamber is full. The meeting will start promptly at 2:00pm.

The campaign is in the process of briefing councillors with a carefully crafted summary document and a short two minute film - click here to view it.