DAY FIVE

Today’s hearing focused almost entirely on evidence from Fairfax’s landscape witness, Claire Brockhurst. While she accepted that the proposed development would cause landscape harm, she argued that such impacts are inevitable in a constrained district and could be mitigated.

A key point of debate was the effect on the setting of the High Weald National Landscape. Brockhurst maintained that the High Weald’s value lies in its intimate, local character rather than long-distance views, and therefore the development would have limited impact on the wider landscape.

However, both Mid Sussex District Council and our team challenged aspects of her evidence, particularly her reliance on previous consultants’ work and the lack of site-specific analysis.

There was also disagreement over the risk of coalescence between the villages of Cuckfield and Ansty. Fairfax argued that the site’s topography would preserve a clear sense of separation, while opponents contended that the development would create the appearance of urban sprawl in views across the valley.

On the issue of whether the site forms part of a valued landscape, our barrister, Jack Parker, strongly challenged Fairfax’s position. Particular attention was given to the importance of dark skies and the way the landscape around the High Weald transitions into the proposed development area.

Overall, the day ended more positively than it began, with several important points successfully challenged during cross-examination.

We were also pleased to welcome newly elected County Councillor Lauren Lloyd, who joined us in the public gallery today. Discussions are now underway about increasing engagement with our MP and national decision-makers. Reflecting the fact that the appeal has been called in by the Secretary of State and is now, to some extent, a matter of national significance.