Conservative County Councillor Gerard Fox and Hailsham North West Town Councillor Steve Keogh both attended the Wealden District Planning Committee meeting yesterday to oppose, on behalf of the local community, proposals to build 28 properties next to the retirement park of Bakers Farm in Upper Horsebridge.
Although the final decision was deferred by the planning committee due to lack of feedback from Southern Water, both councillors were given the opportunity to present their cases in support of Hailsham North-West local residents.
Councillors Keogh and Fox, joined a number of District Councillors in making detailed, impassioned, but pragmatic, speeches to try to prevent what could in its current form be a life changing intrusion into the lives of the local community in Upper Horsebridge.
Significant emphasis was placed by councillors Fox and Keogh on: overdevelopment in an edge of town location, ecological and environmental impacts, flood and contamination risks, road safety on the A271, impact on the integrity of the Cuckoo Trail, and the very negative impact that this build could have on those living close to the proposed development.
A large number of local residents attended, one of whom provided the committee with a very emotional presentation which addressed the adverse impact that the build could have on the Bakers Farm retirement park in the future.
Those attending seemed happy with the support provided by both of their local Conservative councillors.
