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ECE Planning
ECE Planning acted as lead planning consultant for the delivery of a major residential scheme on the edge of Burgess Hill, brought forward jointly by Thakeham Homes and Persimmon (Charles Church Developments). The development comprised 260 new homes, including affordable provision, alongside green infrastructure, ecological corridors, and play space, on land allocated for development in the Mid Sussex District Plan.
Our role involved full project management of the consultant team from early concept stages through to submission and determination of the planning application. ECE Planning led three detailed pre-application meetings with the Local Planning Authority to shape the overall approach and resolve key policy and technical matters. In addition, we coordinated and helped shape inputs into three Design Review Panel sessions, ensuring that feedback informed the evolving design and that the scheme met the landscape-led requirements of the site allocation, particularly given the site’s relationship with the South Downs National Park.
A key aspect of the project involved managing landscape and visual impact considerations, balancing views to and from the national park while accommodating development within a carefully designed green framework. The planning strategy was underpinned by a robust evidence base covering biodiversity, drainage, and sustainable movement, resulting in a scheme that met both policy and environmental expectations.
The development is notable as the first 100% zero-carbon residential scheme of its scale to be approved in the Local Planning Authority Area. It also delivers a minimum +10% Biodiversity Net Gain, despite ecological constraints on site.
