Horstedpond Farm, Uckfield

Castlefort Homes has now submitted a planning application for a sustainable new development on land at Horstedpond Farm, Uckfield.

The proposals include:

• Up to 400 new homes, including 140 affordable homes and new children’s play areas
• Over 16 ha (39 acres) of open and accessible green space that will provide not only a unique setting to the development but will also link together existing open spaces around southern Uckfield from Ridgewood Recreation Ground and the Millennium Green to Horsted Pond Green, with a series of new walking routes
• Financial contributions towards local recreation facilities and other necessary infrastructure

The proposed site has an area of approximately 27.2 hectares (67 acres) and is located on the southern edge of Uckfield, east of Lewes Road and just to the north of its junction with the A22. The site is made up of a mix of field parcels. Horstedpond Wood, which is outside the site, is to the southeast, and the northern boundary of the site runs parallel to the Ridgewood stream. To the north are Ridgewood House and its associated grounds and the Millennium Green, a large area of open space managed by Trustees for public use.

A detailed assessment of potential site constraints has been undertaken. This assessment has included an analysis of open space, biodiversity, traffic and access, flooding and drainage and arboricultural features.

There is a demonstrable need in Uckfield and Wealden for more homes of all tenures, including affordable homes.

All planning authorities are required to maintain a certain level of housing delivery, with this being tested annually by the Government.

In 2021, Wealden District had delivered 82% of it’s required housing supply, meaning that it will now be required to apply an additional 20% buffer to it’s 5 year housing land supply.

As of 2021, Wealden could only demonstrate a 3.28 year housing land supply, meaning that it is already falling behind delivery on this metric as well.