In the wake of government plans for major housebuilding in the South East, Fay Millar talks to residents of one Sussex village who are determined not to let the developers roll in.

REGULARS in the Red Lion on Lindfield High Street can normally be found whiling away a summer's afternoon with wistful chat about the latest cricket results or village gossip.

But in recent months talk in the cosy pub has turned to a set of plans which could alter the very fabric of the village life they cherish so much.

They shake their heads in dismay as they voice their fears about a developer's desire to demolish an old Edwardian house in a conservation area and build 14 flats in its place.

However, rather than lie down and give in, the villagers have banded together to safeguard this quintessentially English rural idyll.

More than 1,200 people have signed a petition and another 173 have written letters voicing their concerns. The village has 6,500 residents.

The plans were turned down but the developers went to appeal and a public inquiry is set for October to decide the matter once and for all.

Tomorrow, members of Mid Sussex District Council's planning committee will reveal what their decision would be if they had to decide the scheme again, although a U-turn is unlikely.

Not since the Sixties, when villagers protested strongly against a development of three eight-storey blocks of flats, which led to the foundation of the village preservation society, has there been such uproar.

Yet it is not surprising the villagers have decided to stand up and fight because Lindfield is not an average village.

Set in the heart of Mid Sussex, close to Haywards Heath, it is a picturesque gem with a mill pond and a bustling High Street full of curiosity and antique shops.

Up until now it has escaped relatively unscathed from increasing government pressure to provide new housing. But many fear if the plan to demolish Littlecote in Compton Road and build a new three-storey mansion block gets the go-ahead it may open the floodgates to developers, sounding the death knell for life as they know it.

A spokesman for the Compton Road Residents Association said: "The demolition of Littlecote would set a precedent for the destruction of any building in Lindfield.

"The belief is that any house on a large plot of land would be open for development and the development would be an urban style mansion of apartments.

"A three-storey building is completely out character and does not relate to the architecture of a village such as Lindfield.

"The infrastructure just cannot bear it. The school cannot accept anymore pupils. The doctors' surgery is full. These are very serious matters indeed."

The surgery is also in Compton Road, along with four retirement and nursing homes. Many people think the development would result in gridlock of a street already struggling to cope with cars.

In addition, protesters do not believe the flats would be affordable to current villagers.

The spokesman said: "This is not just resistance against something we don't want. We are talking about the total transformation of our quality of life.

"Over the years there has been a great deal of resistance to development, especially anything multi-storey."

Most of the houses, including Littlecote, were built between 1899 and 1910 and, although none of the buildings are listed, residents feel they make a positive contribution to the area.

If the scheme gets approval, a new Edwardian-style building with 14 two-bedroom flats and 21 parking spaces will be built in its place.

Residents are not convinced it would blend in with the other houses and have likened it to "architectural vandalism".

Chris Comber, 71, and his wife Mary, 72, of Compton Road, were quick to sign the petition.

Mr Comber said: "We object first of all to the demolition of the old building simply because it is a lovely old building and it is in a conservation area.

"Secondly, its replacement is going to be huge. I don't think anyone would have objected if it was just two or three small flats.

"The traffic in this road is very bad. If you have got people parking on both sides, there is a constant ballet of cars trying to get in and out.

"Also, they talk about affordable housing and we are not quite sure what that is going to be - certainly not affordable to local people."

Many villagers want to keep Lindfield as it is, steeped in history.

The High Street dates back to the 14th Century and the medical centre next to the proposed site was once the site of a piano factory, a wartime rabbit breeding sanctuary and a skirt factory.

It is believed Compton, after who the road is named, was once a candlemaker who lived on High Street.

But not everyone has been so keen to preserve Littlecote.

The parish council, rather than leading the charge against the developers, has taken what it perceives to be a more realistic stance.

A spokesman said: "The South East is under enormous pressure from the Government to take vast numbers of new houses. Throughout Sussex there is strong resistance to building on greenfield sites.

"Yes, members might prefer the house and garden to stay the way they are but they recognise this is a windfall site likely to be developed.

"On that basis it is in the interest of the village as a whole to try to ensure that what is built is acceptable in design and contributes towards fulfilling the housing requirements in this area.

"What is being proposed appears to have been designed with some regard for the character of the existing buildings and an effort has been made to retain a large part of the surrounding gardens."

The spokesman for the residents' association said: "We feel betrayed by the parish council, primarily because they have not defended the historical fabric of Lindfield."

But the protesters may find more and more of these applications being made.

The Government is expected to relax planning rules paving the way for a swathe of new homes across the South East.

The programme could double the number of properties in the region.

It will only be a matter of time before the developers start nibbling away at villages such as Lindfield and the life the villagers are desperately trying to protect becomes a thing of the past.

They may have won the housing battle this time but it is unlikely they will win the war.

Pilot Ro Phillips, a spokesman for the residents association, said: "While everyone understands the desire to increase affordable housing, the demolition of a house which is perfectly viable is ridiculous.

"There will always be pressure but family houses in a conservation area should be just that - conserved.

"No one is saying progress can be stopped. What we are saying is the buildings should not overawe the surrounding environment.

"It is not true to say we are trying to prevent progress or affordable housing but we don't feel affordable housing is being offered here.

"The proposal is for an overbearing building which would significantly change the character of the area and add to an already serious traffic problem."