REX’S NOTES FEBRUARY 2025 Local Council Updates

Councillor Rex Whittaker brings us up-to-date with local government news in and around the town and district …

PLANNING
On 13 February the very large housing and mixed redevelopment at Imberhorne Farm was approved at MSDC planning committee. Planning reference DM/23/2699 can be accessed on the online planning portal.

This site has been on the East Grinstead radar for over ten years as the developer, Welbeck Land, has been working with local councils as well as all community stakeholders and residents.

Headlines include …
– new access via roundabout near Bluebell Close off Imberhorne Lane
– up to 550 new homes and a 150-dwelling care village
– above to include 165 affordable homes for MSDC-nominated clients
– new primary school and neighbourhood centre of shops, community rooms and NHS facility.
– New allotments
– 43-hectare country park
– new sports complex including floodlit athletics track & 3G football pitch. Other grass football & cricket pitches with new sports pavilion. These facilities gifted for Imberhorne school use plus public use
– significant other infrastructure financial contributions up to circa £ 14 million.

This permission is subject to the signed  completion of a section 106 legal agreement within three months.

This is the largest redevelopment scheme in East Grinstead since the Herontye and Imberhorne Estates were constructed nearly fifty years ago.

GATWICK AIRPORT
By the end of February we are expecting a Government announcement on the Gatwick second runway planning application. All of the mood music suggests that Gatwick will be granted permission to proceed.

DEVOLUTION
This week has seen the Government announce their approval and backing for all existing Sussex county and district councils to work together to merge into a small number of very large Unitary Authorities, including Brighton. Planned 2025 County council elections have been cancelled, and will now be staged in conjunction with new Mayoral elections in May 2026.

All Sussex councils will now have to work together very closely to progress merger proposals, plans, logistics and timescales. Further announcements are expected in April.

TOWN DIARY DATES
3 May                   Mid Sussex Marathon
5 May                   EG Lions May Fair
8 May                   VE Day 80th Anniversary
1 June, 6 July
& 3 August          East Court Live
7 September       Classic car day
18 October          EG Bonfire procession event
9 November       Remembrance Parade
15 November     Big Reveal & Christmas lights
7 December        Christmas Market

Rex Whittaker
17 February 2025