Mid Sussex District Council has approved plans submitted by Wates Developments for up to 350 new homes in Crawley Down, West Sussex.
105 of the homes will be available through social rent, affordable rent and shared ownership.
Wates Developments’ team has worked on the proposals collaboratively with the Council and consulted extensively with the local community and key stakeholders for many years to ensure the scheme will serve the needs of new and existing residents while also delivering significant benefits to the community as a whole. Through the Local Plan process, the site was found to be one of the most sustainable and suitable locations for supporting housing needs.
Supporting the Local Plan, the approved proposal will support the delivery of much-needed homes within the district through a range of house types. The new homes will be powered by renewable sources and provide electric vehicle charging, while an electric car club will be available for residents. New pedestrian and cycle paths will also be developed, linking into the Worth Way and giving safe and sustainable access to East Grinstead and Crawley. To further meet local needs, the proposal will include a 70-bed care home and community facility, increasing access to care and enabling people to age within their existing community.
During Wates’ planning consultation phase, 82% of local respondents voiced support for including public open space within the development and, as a result, 60% of the land will be undeveloped. The scheme will deliver a wide range of publicly accessible space, including landscaped walking routes, biodiversity enhancements through woodland pockets, wildflower meadows and enhanced grassland and the ‘St Leonards Lookout’; a community gathering and viewing space featuring a bandstand, picnic area, children’s play place and community orchards.
As a family-owned business now in the fourth generation, legacy and collaboration are central to Wates’ family values and throughout the course of the project, over £5m will be contributed towards a wide range of key community assets including schools, doctors, libraries, health services, sports provision and sustainable transport, with significant contributions made towards The Haven Centre and Crawley Down Football Club.
Meryl Baker, operations director – portfolio and Wates Commercial & Logistics, said: “We are pleased that our plans for new homes in Crawley Down received the green light from Mid Sussex District Council (MSDC). From the outset, the Wates team worked with MSDC officers to deliver a landscape-led development which reflected the local character of Crawley Down, and we feel very proud of the collaborative work that has gone into this proposal.”
“Our involvement in Crawley Down spans over a decade, so we understand the local area and community well, having previously developed the adjacent schemes of Wychwood Place and Woods View, both of which are now thriving communities. We’ve engaged extensively with Worth Parish Council and worked closely with local stakeholders and the residents who live next to the site while developing the plans. Following feedback from the community, we have ensured that green space and publicly accessible areas are a priority to create a sense of place where the community can thrive.”
“Over the past year, we’ve also been supporting the local community, including Crawley Down Gatwick Football Club and The Haven Centre, and we will continue our support to enhance and strengthen these assets.”
