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Work is now taking place drafting a document detailing the reasons for the objection, which will be submitted to Mid Sussex District Council.

Trevor Webster, chairman of Lindfield Rural Parish Council, said: “We remain very disappointed that the council has not been prepared accommodate a major change in consultation timetable and therefore we are continuing to look at different options where we can properly represent our residents and hold MSDC to account

“We are also continuing to talk to the other councils, with whom we wanted to organise a public meeting.

Haywards Heath Golf Club. Picture: Steve Robards

“I believe that it is essential that we continue to discuss how we can work together on the adverse impact that the development will have on not only our parish area, but also across the wider community in Mid Sussex”

Campaigners Liz Evans and Sarah Munday said they were ‘overwhelmed’ by the support for their campaign, with nearly 1,000 signitures on their petition, 400 supporters on their Facebook page and 370 people formally objecting to the planning application.

“This reflects the overwhelming wish of the people in the Haywards Heath, Lindfield, Cuckfield and Ardingly area for this proposal to be rejected once and for all,” they said.

“Many new supporters have joined our campaign recently, which may reflect the increased use by local residents of the footpaths across the golf course and in the surrounding woodland.

“Several residents of Haywards Heath and Lindfield have been in touch with us to report how much they are enjoying and appreciating being able to readily access the public footpaths across the beautiful and spacious open countryside at HHGC, during this lockdown period for their daily exercise.

“The possibility of losing this beautiful site to a huge housing development is heartbreaking and cannot be allowed to happen.”