Conservatives unite in opposition to Mayfield new town

Nick Herbert and Sir Nicholas Soames joined local Conservative district council candidates to unite in opposition to the Mayfield new town last week (Friday 17 April).

Mr Herbert, the Parliamentary Candidate for Arundel & South Downs, and Sir Nicholas, the Parliamentary Candidate for Mid Sussex, were joined by Horsham and Mid Sussex district council candidates from in and around the proposed new town area which lies between Henfield and Sayers Common.

The local Conservatives met on the green field site where Mayfield want to build a road to access 10,000 new houses.

Mayfields' proposal is strongly opposed by the local MPs, by both Mid Sussex and Horsham district councils, and by the Conservative district council candidates.  

The Conservative District Council candidates present and opposing the new town were Helena Croft (Henfield), Jonathan Chowen (Cowfold, Shermanbury and West Grinstead), Roger Clarke (Cowfold, Shermanbury and West Grinstead), Anthony Watts-Williams (Hurstpierpoint and Downs) and Colin Trumble (Hurstpierpoint and Downs).

Brian O’Connell (Henfield), John Wilkinson (Hurstpierpoint and Downs) and John Allen (Bolney) are also opposed to the new town but were unable to join the visit.

Nick Herbert said: "The number of candidates present demonstrated the size of the area and how many communities would be affected by the new town, while the number of Conservatives underlined our Party's total opposition to the plan.

"Seeing this beautiful area of countryside was another reminder of how damaging this inappropriate and unwanted development would be".

ENDS

Notes

1.    Photograph attached – Left to right – Colin Trumble, Anthony Watts-Williams, Nick Herbert, Sir Nicholas Soames, Jonathan Chowen, Helena Croft, and Roger Clarke.