Developer Seeking Permission For Heathfield Homes

A developer has put forward plans for a major housing development in Heathfield.

In an application validated by Wealden District Council on Tuesday (June 30), permission is sought to build up to 57 homes on land to the east of Theobalds Green at the town’s southern edge.

The proposals, in the form of an outline planning application, have been submitted jointly by Esquire Developments Limited and Rurban Estates Limited.

In a design and access statement, a spokesman for the joint applicants said: “The proposed scheme at Theobalds Green will deliver up to 57 high quality new homes in a mix of sizes and tenures, set within a landscape-led masterplan that responds sensitively to the site’s edge-of-Heathfield location.

“The layout has been shaped by the site’s existing landscape structure, heritage setting, [Public Rights of Way], mature vegetation and relationship with the wider High Weald National Landscape, creating a scheme that is well integrated with its surroundings and capable of delivering benefits for both future residents and the wider community.”

As an outline scheme, the application primarily seeks to establish permission to build housing (including affordable homes) on the land.

Specific details of its design, including the appearance of and types of houses to be built, would be expected to come forward as part of a reserved matters application at a later date.

The only exception to this is the site’s access arrangements, which is proposed to connect to Theobalds Green.

The application includes illustrative plans showing how much of the site is intended to be maintained as green space.

The applicants say this green space is to be made up of a mix of “open parkland, enhanced woodland, traditional orchard planting, informal recreational routes, natural play trails and sustainable drainage features designed as attractive landscape spaces.”

Plans also show how the development would be surrounded by and screened off from Grade II listed Theobalds Green Farmhouse.

The proposed site forms part of land which had been the subject screening opinion application in 2022.

This earlier application, submitted by Wellsbridge Estates Ltd, had sought the council’s view on whether a 500-home development on the wider parcel of land would require an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The council determined it would.

For further information see application reference WD/2026/1254/MAO on the Wealden District Council website.