To: Mid Sussex District Council Planning Committee, Chair of the Planning Committee or the Council Leader

Help Save Wickham Fields

We call on Mid Sussex District Council's Planning Committee to refuse any planning application for housing development on Wickham Fields (Land West of Gatesmead / SHELAA site 988), Old Wickham Lane, Haywards Heath. This site was assessed by the council and not allocated for housing in the District Plan 2021–2039. It is one of the last remaining areas of open green space in this part of Haywards Heath, sits adjacent to two Grade II* listed buildings, and is actively used by the community. We ask the committee to protect this green space and uphold the council's own plan.

Why is this important?

Wickham Fields is one of the last open green spaces left in this part of Haywards Heath. It has been used by dog walkers, families, and residents for generations. Crest Nicholson want to build 50 houses on it, despite the council's own District Plan not allocating it for development.

The site sits next to two Grade II* listed buildings dating back centuries, local schools and GP surgeries are already stretched, and all traffic would be funnelled through a single quiet residential street.

Recent decisions show that community opposition works. An 80-home proposal at nearby Colwell Farm was refused after residents objected, and a 725-home scheme at the golf club was blocked. But that only happened because people spoke up. If we don't act now, we lose this field permanently. Once it's built on, it's gone.

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Updates

2026-06-03 11:19:46 +0100

URGENT: Application Portal Open for Comments
The Council has now opened the window for objections to the development. I urge all of you to submit your objections. https://pa.midsussex.gov.uk/online-applications/registered/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=neighbourComments&keyVal=TFOW8GKT04L00 Information about the process and how to write a compelling are on the site. https://www.save-wickham-fields.org/ Special request: Comments from official organisations such as councils, heritiage organisations, schools etc will carry stronger weight than resident's objections.
If you can engage any such orgs in this movement it will be a tremendous help.

2026-05-24 12:09:53 +0100

24.05 UPDATE: I've received a note from the Mid Sussex District Council Planning Committee pointing residents to the District Plan Review Examination site:

https://www.midsussex.gov.uk/planning-building/mid-sussex-district-plan/district-plan-review-examination/

In summary, in the next few weeks or so, a 6-week consultation will open, and that is our formal opportunity to engage with the process.

As soon as I learn about it, I will update here.

(If you hear about it's posted here, please get in touch at [email protected])

2026-05-20 15:55:11 +0100

20.05.26 UPDATE: Full details on the site: save-wickham-fields.org

On 15 May the council added the site to a long-list of 35 additional housing sites under pressure from the District Plan Inspector.

The council decides the shortlist by end of July. We have weeks, not months.

Over 1,000 of us have already signed the petition. Now we need named letters to councillors and the MP. Everything you need (pre-drafted emails to your local representatives, the timeline, the objection template, how to report wildlife sightings) is on one page:

save-wickham-fields.org

2026-05-13 18:41:38 +0100

1,000 signatures reached

2026-03-01 12:17:20 +0000

We've just blown past 500 signatures and received our first wildlife report. A resident has spotted woodpeckers, buzzards, spire hawks, kites, goldfinches, robins, red wings, and many more. Besides please keep the wildlife reports coming in!

2026-03-01 09:40:44 +0000

500 signatures reached

2026-02-27 14:50:43 +0000

100 signatures reached

2026-02-27 11:37:13 +0000

50 signatures reached

2026-02-27 10:52:29 +0000

25 signatures reached

2026-02-27 10:35:54 +0000

10 signatures reached