AN MP has written to the Secretary of State to raise his serious concerns about plans for 500 new homes.

Nick Herbert, MP for Arundel and South Downs, wrote to Sajid Javid, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, about proposals for the homes in Hassocks.

Mid Sussex District Council has proposed the homes in response to criticism of its five year plan from the Planning Inspectorate.

The local authority has put forward plans for 500 houses on a piece of land north of Clayton Mills in Hassocks.

Developer Gleeson’s is behind the proposal on the site which was already allocated for a maximum of 140 houses in the draft Hassocks neighbourhood plan.

In his letter, Mr Herbert MP said he has serious concerns and accused the Planning Inspectorate of showing too little regard for the importance of neighbourhood planning,

He said the size of the development would have a serious impact on the character of the area and impact the existing infrastructure.

He added: “I believe it is important to maintain the green space between settlements and to avoid the random creation of urban sprawl.

“A development of 500 houses in this location would be a major step towards eroding the gap between Burgess Hill and Hassocks, which would reduce to just over half a mile.”

Mr Herbert said he recognised the need to increase the supply of homes nationally, and said that Hassocks must play its part in helping to deliver some of those houses.

But he said that an increase in the size of a village on the proposed scale and outside the neighbourhood plan “is not the right way forward”.

He also expressed sympathy with the Mid Sussex District Council who he said had been put in a “difficult position” by the Planning Inspector.

He said: “I am concerned that the inspector has shown too little regard for the importance of neighbourhood planning, which as you know has across the country delivered more housing than expected, and that this latest step will further damage the policy.

“Instead of plan-led housing, the council’s proposed modification licenses random, developer-led development which has not been properly considered.”

To see the full letter go to nickherbert.com.