Ancient woodland has been saved after a three-year fight against developers.

Four Acre woods in Haywards Heath is now a no-go area for developer Crest Nicholson.

Campaigners have welcomed the move, which came after an inquiry into the developer's plan for 785 homes at the nearby Bolnore Village estate.

Stuart Meier, of the Campaign For the Protection of Rural England, said: "We have fought for an incredibly diverse and rich area of ancient woodland and this is a landmark decision for the country.

"The decision has effectively overturned an allocation to develop this land in the local plan.

"This sets a national precedent in protecting ancient woodland and will protect woodland nationwide."

Communities Secretary Hazel Blears, who headed the inquiry, told Crest Nicholson it would have to reduce the maximum number of homes built from 785 to 685, to protect the area.

The developer will have to leave a buffer zone of 15 metres between the homes and the woods.

Mrs Blears also suggested the land should be gifted to Mid Sussex District Council, to help its protection.

The public inquiry began after the council refused planning permission for the development because it did not provide enough affordable homes.

There were also concerns over the date when work on a relief road and bridleway repairs, both promised by the developer, would be completed.

A community group opposing the development raised more than £20,000 to compile evidence and hire a barrister to represent it at the inquiry.

It said the project was an over-development which would destroy the woodland.

Mrs Blears' comments came two months before the official end of the inquiry.

She imposed a number of conditions on Crest Nicholson, including increasing the number of affordable homes provided and completing the relief road after 310 homes had been built.

All conditions were subject to further representations from the developer, which has until February 15 to comment.

Councillor Sue Seward, Mid Sussex District Council Cabinet member for resources, welcomed the decision.

She said: "I would like to pay tribute to Dennis Matthews and his fellow planning officers and also to county council officers and everyone involved in the inquiry during the year it took place.

"During the course of the inquiry, and working closely with local residents' groups, they put forward very convincing arguments and together they have won a great victory for Mid Sussex."

A spokesman for Crest Nicholson said: "We are delighted to have received this endorsement from the secretary of state and to have heard the comments on our proposals for the development at Bolnore Village.

"As always, we are keen to continue working with the local authority in order to factor in the comments detailed in the report."

jessica.bauldry @theargus.co.uk

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