There was a strong field of entries for this
year's schools competition run by the Society. The subject was 'My
Favourite Place in East Grinstead' which attracted over 100 entries
from two primary schools: St Peter's and Escots. This was the first
competition entirely for primary school children and was judged a
great success both in standard of entry and enthusiasm. Judging was by
a member of the Society's Executive Committee and East Grinstead's
Business and Tourism Officer. The top six entries each received a £10
book token. There were also lesser prizes and several Highly Commended
certificates presented at the schools. Subsequently prize-winners and
parents met the competition organisers on Saturday May 22 at the Town
Library for a chat and photographs. A subject for a 2011 schools
competition has yet to be decided. Each of the six winning paintings can
be viewed by clicking on the relevant image below:
1 and 5 are from pupils at St Peters; 2, 3, 4
and 6 from Escots.
Housing target change
In June 2009 MSDC announced a reduced
570 target for strategic housing development at East Grinstead to
replace the 2,500 and associated relief road which the council has at
last conceded are unsustainable and inappropriate for the town. The
announcement of East Grinstead's new target of 570 may distract public
attention from the 2,200 houses already forecast over the plan period
from back garden infill developments, 'brownfield' sites, small-scale
housing et cetera in the town. The combined housing total in the
period to 2026 would therefore amount to some 2,770, with perhaps
5,000 more residents needing employment, and a similar number of extra
cars. Only relatively few new residents would find work locally since
the main employment centres in the area are Crawley and Gatwick.
The proposed town expansion of 570 +
2,200 homes therefore raises a number of questions. Would town
junction improvements be enough to cope with several thousand extra
cars? Traffic experts have differing opinions on how much traffic
congestion improvement is possible in the light of East Grinstead's
difficult road structure. What would be the effect on the already
congested A264 westbound? How will village and local roads cope with
increased commuter traffic trying to avoid the town centre?
These questions require thorough
strategic road planning if the town is to maintain its historic
character, be a good place to live in, and continue to provide
employment proportionate to its size and nature. In preparing its
revised Core Strategy in line with the South East Plan, Mid Sussex
District Council should now consider more seriously suitable sites to
the east of Crawley much closer to employment and road/rail transport
systems.
The proposed 570 houses in the
Imberhorne area would be in our view be the thin end of a wedge which,
when the economy improves, would grow into a much larger housing
development with a road infrastructure ever more inadequate.
Campaign
The East Grinstead Post Referendum
Campaign (PRC), supported by this Society and other local
organisations, has opposed since 2002 the Plan for 2500 homes and an
associated relief road. For details of the PRC campaign and background
see www.eghouses.org.uk
A Core Strategy for Mid
Sussex
At the Mid Sussex District Council (MSDC)
Better Environment Advisory Group (BEAG) meeting in December 2009, the
council leader rejected a draft Core Strategy document as it did not
"accurately reflect the views of members or best serve the
interests of residents" and instructed officers to redraft taking
into account views of stakeholders and Parish Councils. We have been
assured that the Society's views will be sought during the next Core
Strategy document preparation.
Improvements to the five main junctions in the
town could improve traffic flow and reduce congestion and these should
be taken forward. However, such improvements would not reduce
congestion enough to accommodate the up to 2000 homes estimated by
MSDC for the plan period to 2026.
In the absence of a sustainable Core Strategy
East Grinstead's Local Plan should remain the appropriate planning
policy document to guide development here. As far back as 2004 the
Plan stated that the existing highway network is no longer adequate,
that new development should be restricted and that there is a total
estimated capacity here of up to 179 dwellings. This in
sharp contrast to infill building in recent years and those potential
small developments identified in the Council's regularly updated
Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA).
In addition to taking account of traffic
congestion, house-building in the Core Strategy must also comply with
EU Habitats Regulations derived from the EU Habitats Directive, under
which Ashdown Forest is given specific protection from increased air
pollution and the effects of disturbance. We understand that the
Habitats Regulations are being examined by MSDC in conjunction with
Natural England. In the meantime a precautionary approach to any
further building is indicated.
News
Archive (2009)
News Archive (2008)
News
Archive (2007)
