Atkins Study

Feasibility Study for

Development Options

at Burgess Hill

Introduction

Atkins consultants were commissioned in January 2005 to undertake a feasibility study to identify whether there is potential for additional strategic development to provide up to 5,000 dwellings on land around Burgess Hill. The study was to undertake a comprehensive site analysis, assess the impact of any development, particularly on transport, and make a recommendation on the most sustainable option. 

In preparing the report the consultants considered a number of issues including design, mix of properties, access, integration and the impact of any development on transport, energy, water and sewerage. In addition environmental constraints and the impact on local ecology were to be considered. 

Development Options

Site development options based on 30 dwellings per hectare were identified and evaluated on a number of issues including the environmental impact, utility investment required and support for sustainability.  

Options A (West End Farm) and B (Abbotsford and Lowlands Farm) each accommodate 5,000 dwellings in one area whereas option C distributed 5055 dwellings around Burgess Hill in seven separate sites(C1-C7).

The report recommends option C which provides the required number of dwellings with the least impact on the surrounding landscape, areas of ecological importance and transport network. It will require additional bus services and the construction of a new spine road connecting sites C3, C4, C5, C6 and C7.

This new road will run eastward from Isaacs Lane to the railway line and then south to Janes Lane, where a new junction will be created, on to Folders lane and then west to join the A273. The housing density mix is based on 30% of 30 dwellings/ha, 40% 40 dwellings/ha and 40% 50 dwellings/ha. In addition the proposed development sites would need to be linked to the town centre by direct cycle and pedestrian routes.

Impact on Worlds End

Those sites likely to impact on Worlds End are C2 (Lowlands Farm), the western edge of which runs into Bedelands, C3 (Theobolds) and C4 (Worlds End), with the biggest impact likely to come from C3 and C4. Site C3 has 417 dwellings plus a new primary school and

The report admits that there will be some visual impact upon the views from properties and wider visual impacts associated with the link road. The report does note that there will be requirements for substantial investment in the electricity network, new medium pressure gas mains, increasing reservoir capacity and the establishment of separate catchments for waste water.

The full report can be read at Burgess Hill council offices and is also available at: 

www.midsussex.gov.uk/page.cfm?pageid=4292