Why Maresfield?

Why we think Maresfield is a good place for growth

1. The Uckfield area represents a relatively unconstrained location for development and is identified as such in the on-going Local Development Framework process. Uckfield as a location for growth is however constrained due to:
   
   
1. Environmental constraints
2. Physical constraints
   
   
2. Maresfield can contribute towards making a contribution to delivering the housing needs of the Uckfield area.
   
   
3. South of Maresfield has the environmental and landscape capacity to accept growth.
   
   
4. The proposals at Maresfield would address identified village priorities including:
1. The need to mitigate the impact of through traffic on the village
2. The need for affordable housing for both young and old
3. Provision of high quality open space
4. Supporting existing community facilities and services within the village
   
   
5. Strategic planning context

• Considerably fewer homes have been delivered in Wealden District than set out in the County Structure Plan’s targets
• The South East Plan (2009) has identified that Weald District accommodated 11,000 new homes between 2006-2026. This amounts to 550 dwellings a year in the Wealden District

              However, identified constraints to developing housing in the district are:

• Infrastructure constraints in the South of Wealden are inhibiting sites coming forward.
• A shortage of previously developed land due to the rural character of the district will necessitate the release of ‘greenfield’ sites.
• Environmental constraints are predominately present in the north and south of the District

Environmental Constraints Diagram