Hurstpierpoint
Introduction
30.1 Hurstpierpoint is located on the B2116, between the A23 and
A273. It is linear in form, with the oldest part of the village being
the High Street between Western Road and St George’s Lane.
Subsequent residential development has extended the village northwards
along Cuckfield Road and College Lane.
30.2 The village lies close to the Sussex Downs within a predominantly
agricultural area. This provides a distinctive and important rural
setting. A ridge line runs east-west in the vicinity of Little Park
Farm, and from it there are attractive views northwards across the
Low Weald.
30.3 To the south of the village the boundary of the built-up area
is broadly contiguous with that of the Sussex Downs Area of Outstanding
Natural Beauty. Much of the agricultural landscape south of the village
is visible in the foreground of views from vantage points on top
of the Downs, and the designation reflects the importance of this
vulnerable downland fringe area in the overall concept of the Area
of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
30.4 The oldest part of the village is the High Street. While many
of the buildings date from the 19th and early 20th centuries, some
are considerably older. Many are listed as being of a special architectural
or historic interest and the different ages and architectural styles
of the buildings contribute to a varied and attractive street scene.
30.5 The linear hamlet of Hurst Wickham is located along College
Lane, midway between the B2116 and Hurstpierpoint College. It evolved
independently of Hurstpierpoint but, as result of development at
Highfield Drive, the southern edge of the hamlet now merges with
the built-up area of Hurstpierpoint. Despite this coalescence Hurst
Wickham has managed to retain its own distinct character and semi-rural
appearance. Most of its buildings date from the early 20th century,
although some are older.
Policies and Proposals
Built-up Area Boundary
30.6 A built-up area boundary is defined for Hurstpierpoint in order
to conserve the rural setting of the village and to protect the surrounding
countryside from unnecessary development.Conservation Area
30.7 In recognition of the special character and appearance of parts
of Hurstpierpoint and Hurst Wickham three areas have been designated
Conservation Areas.
Hurstpierpoint Conservation Area
30.8 Part of the village of Hurstpierpoint was designated a Conservation
Area in July 1972. The area was extended in January 1989 to include
many of the properties in Manor Road and part of Western Road plus
South Lodge, Chabwino and the cemetery in South Avenue. These form
an important visual transition from countryside to town due to their
large spacious grounds. A further extension was approved in February
1999 to include a small area of Western Road, which continues the
character and appearance of the rest of the road already within the
Conservation Area, and St. Lawrence’s School, an attractive
building which has been an essential feature in the development of
the village since the 19th century.
30.9 The Conservation Area is centred around the core of the
old village. It runs from the White Horse Inn in the west along
the full length of the High Street as far as its junction with
St George’s Lane in the east. The following features, in
particular, contribute to the character of the area: -
the age and variety of buildings in the High Street;
-
the panoramic views of the South Downs and surrounding countryside;
-
the avenue of trees along the footpath in the recreation ground;
-
the changes in level and direction of the High Street, together
with the close proximity of the buildings and the twittens and
side alleys which expose many side walls and provide a series
of varied and interesting views; and
-
the presence of walls, railings and trees which form attractive
visual features.
Hurst Wickham Conservation Area
30.10 The character and appearance of the southern half of Hurst
Wickham is such that the District Council designated it as a Conservation
Area in January 1989. The following features, in particular, contribute
to its character:
-
a marked sense of visual enclosure due to the narrowness of
College Road and the brick retaining walls along both sides;
-
the presence of many trees and hedges which add to the level
of enclosure; and
-
the raised buildings which overlook the meandering lane.
Langton Conservation Areas
30.11 The Council designated a new Conservation Area in February
1999 at the western end of the village, to include Langton Lane and
part of Albourne Road. Langton Lane has a linear rural character,
while Albourne road merges a rural with a more urban character, creating
a pleasant approach to the village.
- 30.12 The following features contribute, in particular, to the
character of the Conservation Area:
-
the steep banks at the southern end of Langton Lane, which is
narrow and meandering;
-
the variety of age and style of the buildings; and
-
the views of the South Downs, Jack and Jill windmills and Holy
Trinity church spire.
Strategic Gap
30.13 The area between Hurstpierpoint and Burgess Hill is defined
as a strategic gap. The boundary largely follows the northern boundary
of the village between the Cuckfield Road and the Hurst Road.
Local Gaps
30.14 There are two narrow gaps between Hurstpierpoint and Hassocks
to the east and between Hurstpierpoint and the villages of Albourne
and Sayers Common to the west. Local gaps are defined for these areas.
Housing
Land West Of Orchard Way, Hurstpierpoint
30.15 Within Hurstpierpoint one site has been allocated for housing.
This is a 2.8 hectare site on the western edge of Hurstpierpoint,
the southern part of which was formerly in use as allotments. It
lies within the setting of the Langton Conservation Area, which is
located to the south and west, and the layout and design of any residential
development should therefore be of a high standard in order to respect
the character of the Conservation Area and the amenities of existing
residents in Orchard Way.
30.16 Access to the site will be from Albourne Road which will result
in the loss of some hedgerow along the site frontage. It will be
a requirement that as much of the hedge as possible is retained,
subject to essential highway safety requirements. A footway along
Albourne Road will also be required to be provided. The existing
bus stop will need to be resited in order to avoid any obstruction
of visibility for motorists leaving the site.
30.17 An important aspect of the development of this site is the
provision of a play area for children from both the new development
and existing homes in this part of Hurstpierpoint. A substantial
area of open space of at least 0.6 hectares shall be provided within
the development site and shall include an equipped play area, the
location of this and the wildlife area(s) will be determined through
the Development Brief for the site. Within the wider Hurstpierpoint
area there is also a shortage of sports pitches. However, the Council
expects to be able to purchase the land to the north of Fairfield
Recreation Ground and so implement policy HU2 to extend the formal
outdoor recreational facilities there to serve the wider community
of Hurstpierpoint.
30.18 The site is bordered by open countryside to the north and
west and the commercial buildings of Benfell Farm Produce and Box
House Bungalow to the west, which is within the Local Countryside
Gap between Hurstpierpoint, Albourne and Sayers Common. Careful landscaping
will be required along the north and west boundaries to restrict
views into the site and to form a definitive edge.
HU1 Land west of
Orchard Way, Hurstpierpoint (approximately 2.8 hectares) is allocated
for residential development to provide up to 65 dwellings, 30%
to be affordable housing units. Permission will be subject to the
general requirements of the Local Plan, particularly policies G3
(Infrastructure), B2 (Design), H2 (Dwelling Mix), H4 (Affordable
Housing), T4 (New Development) and R3 and R4 (Outdoor Playing Space).
Additionally permission will be subject to the following
requirements:
(a) access from Albourne Road;
(b) the provision of a comprehensive landscaping scheme
which shall include the retention of the hedge along the Albourne
Road frontage where possible, subject to essential highway safety
requirements, the retention of vegetation along the eastern site
boundary, the provision of a hedge as part of buffer planting
on the western boundary, and tree planting on the northern boundary;
the planting to form a definitive edge to development west of
Orchard Way and to provide a wildlife corridor.
(c) a wildlife survey;
(d) the provision of a footway along the site frontage
in Albourne Road;
(e) the provision within the development of an area of
public open space of at least 0.6ha to include a recreational
area and a pocket for wildlife, some of this open space to be
close to the Albourne Road;
(f) the re-siting of the existing bus stop in Albourne
Road; and
(g) financial contributions towards enlarging the existing
primary school, the provision of additional secondary school
places, community and medical facilities in the village, improvements
to public transport services, civic amenity facilities and traffic
calming.
Traffic Management
Hurstpierpoint High Street
30.19 In preparing the 1990 South Mid Sussex Local Plan the Local
Planning Authority considered a number of alternative road schemes
which might offer the opportunity of bringing traffic relief to the
High Street. The Consultation Draft of the 1990 Plan put forward
a proposal for a Relief Road to the north of the High Street utilising
part of Trinity Road. It was considered that such a road could remove
a substantial proportion of the traffic from the High Street and
provide the opportunity to introduce traffic management measures
and environmental improvements to make it a safer and more attractive
place in which to live and work.
30.20 However, public opinion in the village was overwhelmingly
against the idea. Residents considered that the disadvantages of
the road in terms of the impact on the environment of the village
outweighed the potential advantages. As a result of this consultation
process the Relief Road proposal is not included in this Local Plan.
30.21 Most people who opposed the Relief Road proposal nevertheless
agreed with the Council’s view that there is a traffic problem
in the High Street, and that it has a detrimental effect on the village
environment. Many people suggested that traffic management measures
should be introduced to control the vehicles passing along the High
Street, although the possibilities are limited given the level of
use of the road and the fact that it forms part of the classified
road network. Hurstpierpoint 2000, in conjunction with the Local
Planning Authority, the County Highway Authority and the Parish Council
have investigated the feasibility of introducing traffic management
measures in the High Street to reduce the impact of traffic and to
enhance the environment. A scheme, at the western end of the High
Street, to widen the pavement and create a ‘pinchpoint’ for
traffic in the High Street has been implemented; a second scheme
at the eastern end is being considered..
College Lane, Hurst Wickham
30.22 College Lane, which runs through Hurst Wickham, is narrow,
contains several hazardous bends and has no footway. The District
Council, in conjunction with the County Council, will investigate
how highway safety can be improved along College Lane and will consider
the introduction of suitable traffic management measures to reduce
the speed of vehicles using the Lane.
Car Parking
30.23 Existing car parking facilities in the central area of the
village are provided on street (over 200 spaces) and in the Trinity
Road car park (99 spaces). All of these spaces are well used and
that there appears to be unmet demand for additional, mainly short
stay, spaces, near the High Street shopping area. In order to help
meet this demand a new car park (Brown Twins Car Park) was constructed
with 42 spaces and opened in September 2001 at the end of Trinity
Road.Footpath Link between the proposed Car Park and the High Street
30.24 In order to improve accessibility from the Brown Twins car
park to the High Street a direct pedestrian link is required. This
would allow quick and easy access to the shopping area. There are
a number of options for such a footpath, though the most suitable
route would be through the Harper and Eede site as part of any comprehensive
redevelopment of this area (Policy HU3). The Council will continue
to pursue the provision of such a link.
Community/Recreation Use
Outdoor Sports Provision
30.25 Current provision for formal sport in Hurstpierpoint is at
South Avenue, Court Bushes and Fairfield Recreation Grounds. South
Avenue Recreation Ground caters for bowls and tennis. Court Bushes
Recreation Ground is on reclaimed land and is poorly drained. The
presence of a major sewerage pipe close to the surface reduces the
scope for improving its drainage. Fairfield Recreation Ground is
the main location for formal sports and is very intensively used.
There are senior and junior football pitches, cricket and stoolball
facilities. The recreation ground is the home of both Hurstpierpoint
Football and Cricket Clubs, which have jointly provided changing
and social facilities.
30.26 The demand for formal outdoor recreation facilities is growing
and existing facilities within the village are being put under increasing
pressure. The Council considers that the Fairfield Recreation Ground
is the most suitable site on which to expand recreational opportunities
in the village because of the existing concentration of facilities
there and the favourable ground conditions compared to other sites.
This is shown on the Proposals Map.
HU2 2 hectares of land is allocated
for additional formal outdoor recreation facilities to the north
of Fairfield Recreation Ground.
30.27 The College Lane area of Hurstpierpoint is poorly provided
with outdoor recreation facilities, the nearest facilities being
either South Avenue Recreation Ground or Talbot Field. Talbot Field,
which is just in Clayton Parish, is classified as a casual kickabout
area. During the Plan period the District Council will investigate
the possibility of providing additional outdoor recreation facilities
in the College Lane area.
Children’s Playing Space
30.28 Children’s play areas are currently provided in the
South Avenue, Court Bushes and Fairfield recreation grounds and at
Nursery Close. An additional children’s play area is to be
provided to the west of Orchard Way within the area allocated for
residential development (HU1). This is shown on the Proposals Map.
Cycle Track - Hurstpierpoint to Hassocks
30.29 The District Council, in association with the County Council,
will investigate the possibility of providing a cycle route between
Hurstpierpoint and Hassocks as there is a particular need to provide
a safe route for schoolchildren travelling between the two settlements.
It is considered that, owing to the narrow width of the existing
footway alongside the B2116, it will not be possible to convert it
to a cycle path. Consequently, a countryside route is considered
to be a more viable option.
Village Centre
30.30 Planning permission was granted in May 2000 for an extension
to the existing village centre in Trinity Road to provide improved
community facilities, including a youth centre/playgroup room, cyber
cafe and an enlarged Parish office.
Shopping
30.31 Hurstpierpoint has a relatively good range of shops which
generally serve the convenience shopping needs of the local area,
particularly for those without access to a car, and visitors. The
shops are located irregularly along the High Street between Western
Road and South Avenue, though most are concentrated between West
Furlong Lane and South Avenue which is considered to be the main
shopping area of the village.
Land to the Rear of 135/137 High Street
30.32 Land to the rear of 135/137 High Street is presently occupied
by Harper and Eede Ltd who are agricultural merchants. It is a large
site, served by a single access from the High Street.
30.33 The site provides a significant redevelopment opportunity.
Although allocated in the 1990 Local Plan it has still to be redeveloped
and thus is retained as a proposal in this plan. No intensification
of activity on the site would be acceptable using the present High
Street access, but the extension of Trinity Road provides an opportunity
to service a comprehensive redevelopment from the rear.
HU3 Land to the
rear of 135/137 High Street is allocated for a mixed development
comprising some or all of the following uses:
Redevelopment proposals will require provision to be made
for a footpath across the site, linking Trinity Road and the High
Street. Vehicular access to the redeveloped site will be from Trinity
Road only.
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