In August 2006,Mid Sussex District Council refused an application from Ockenden Manor to development their hotel facilities in the historic village of Cuckfield. In their report to the Planning Committee, the council refused the proposals because: * The development is outside the built-up boundary, contrary to Policies C1, R15 and Local Plan Policies LOC2 and NE11 * By virtue of its size and scale, the proposals would result in consolidation and urbanisation of the built form of the site, contrary to policies C1, R15, B1 and Local Plan Policies LOC2, NE11 and CH1 * Due to the proposed increased traffic level in Ockenden Lane, residents would experience an unacceptable level of disturbance detrimental to their residential amenities, contrary to Policies B3, T4 and Local Plan Policies DEV1, DEV4 Ockenden Manor have subsequently appealed to the Secretary of State against this decision and a Public Inquiry is pending. Along with many others we contend that the new applications, submitted in November 2007,is substantially the same as the earlier application, which was refused. In particular: * The proposed development remains wholly outside the designated built-up area boundary and is thus in contravention of local and national policies as above. * The scale of the proposed new development (1,771sqm), whilst somewhat smaller than before nonetheless involves a more than doubling of the hotels existing footprint of 1,755sqm. * The applicant

Sponsor