PROPOSALS for a major housing development in Newick are to be considered by Lewes planners at a meeting next week.

On Wednesday, Lewes District Council’s planning committee is to hear an application to build up to 69 houses at Woods Fruit Farm in Goldbridge Road.

While part of the site lies outside of the Newick development boundary, the scheme is recommended for approval by planning officers on the grounds it would be ‘a sustainable development’.

An officer’s report said: “The scheme would provide a well-designed housing development, which provides a range of house types and styles which would sit comfortable on this edge of [the] settlement site, without detriment to wider amenity or the countryside beyond.

“The development is both spacious and well landscaped, integrating into the surrounding countryside, whilst being in a sustainable location within walking distance of the village facilities.”

However, the proposals have proven controversial with many village residents, who raised a number of concerns.

The concerns raised include fears of additional pressure on local infrastructure and parking as well as the potential loss of privacy for current residents.

Objections were also raised by Newick Parish Council, which argues the density of housing is too high.

The parish council also argues the development would go against planning policies laid out in both the Lewes Local Plan and the Newick Neighbourhood Plan.

Adopted in March 2015, the Newick Neighbourhood Plan only allocates part of the proposed site for development, with a cap of 38 homes rather than 69.

The Lewes Local Plan, meanwhile, excludes part of the site from Newick’s agreed development boundary.