14 July 2014

Please note: this news article is in our archive. Articles were correct at time of publication, but should not be relied on for accuracy after the passage of time.

NO immediate decisions can be made by East Grinstead Town Council on proposals by Mid Sussex District Council to use the Imberhorne Lane nursery site for Travellers until they have been fully informed by MSDC as to their plans.

Chairman of Planning Committee Bob Mainstone said he understood that there was great interest in the proposals, and that deep emotions were involved, but town councillors would not be in a position to discuss theproposal fully until the Consultation papers have been released by the District Council, which is expected to be in August.

‘The Town Council has initial concerns about the suitability of the site, but before councillors can form a view we need to be fully briefed about the District Council’s proposal,’ he said.

‘The item has been recommended to Mid Sussex District Council with some amendments to the original report including the continued search for more sites, so all we can do on Monday is acknowledge that MSDC have started the process. Councillors will not be in a position to determine the Town Council View as we don’t yet have the details that MSDC are consulting on. And without those details, councillors cannot comment without the risk that they will form an opinion not based on the facts.’

Cllr Dick Sweatman, Deputy Mayor, agreed.

‘This proposed site came to the notice of town councillors last week completely out of the blue.

‘We had been asked by MSDC if we had any suggestions for suitable sites for Travellers in East Grinstead and replied that we did not – which was minuted in a meeting held at East Court last January.

‘And since then there has been no suggestion that an East Grinstead site had been shortlisted.’

Town Clerk Julie Holden added that members of the public are welcome at all meetings held by the Town Council at East Court, but said turning up for answers about the Imberhorne Lane site at next Monday’s meeting would be ‘premature’.