Plainview Planning have been providing full planning consultancy support on a much needed multimillion-pound scheme to create a regional distribution centre and business park near the A23, at Hickstead, Sussex.
There are many benefits to the site at Northlands Farm and it has already generated a lot of local interest, with 17 businesses having already enquired about freehold opportunities.
Its convenient location is one of the great draws for business owners, as the site sits within the Gatwick Triangle. This is a key UK business location, close to high capacity trunk roads and just 20 minutes from Brighton and 25 minutes to the M25.
It is estimated that the outline scheme at Northlands Farm would generate:
- between 200 to 325 construction jobs over two years;
- 775 to 995 jobs when finished;
- add £16 million to the local economy.
The scheme has generated interest in the local press recently, receiving full support from The Argus.
With locally grown companies such as Pets Corner and Dark Star Brewing Company desperately needing to expand and finding it a challenge to locate suitable commercial space in the area, the need for this development is clear. Both companies have suggested that if the planning application for the development is refused, they will be forced to relocate outside Sussex due to a lack of suitable commercial space.
As our Vision Document for the site has shown, the site is located at the only junction on the M23 that is not located within the South Downs National Park, green belt or area of outstanding natural beauty. The site also already has permission for large-scale agricultural warehousing. All of this strongly indicates that this project presents an inherently sustainable development with far reaching beneficial outcomes for the wider district economy. You can read our vision document here: Northlands Farm
Andrew Ransome, Associate at Plainview Planning who is leading the planning team on this project, summed up the impact of this scheme neatly in his quote in The Argus:
“If successful this application will represent a landmark moment in the long-term commercial prosperity of Mid Sussex, securing employment for hundreds of local residents and the viability of local businesses.”
We continue to actively engage with Mid Sussex District Council on this scheme and look forward to working proactively with them towards a decision date.
If you have any property or land in Sussex and would like to explore development options on site then please don’t hesitate to contact us to see how we can best assist enquiries@plainview.co.uk.