Masterplan purpose
A holistic masterplan for the future
The Sayers Common sustainable community is being planned in accordance with the approach set out in the emerging Mid Sussex District Plan (2021–2039), which allocates five sites around Sayers Common as suitable for new development to support the village’s long-term sustainability.
A key requirement of the District Plan is that these sites are considered collectively rather than individually, integrating with the existing settlement of Sayers Common, and promoting opportunities for enhanced connectivity between the sites and the existing community so that the entire community can take advantage of the services and facilities being provided.
The purpose of this Masterplan Framework is to establish a coordinated and holistic vision to guide and shape this planned growth. It will be used to guide the preparation and determination of planning applications.
Supporting the Plan
A village-wide approach
To support the Mid Sussex District Plan, the emerging Masterplan Framework will:
- Set a holistic vision for how Sayers Common could grow over time, shaped by the five Vision Pillars developed through the Liaison Group workshops (Nature in Harmony, Connected Living, Place Integrity, Active Movement and Healthy Homes).
- Provide a joined-up approach for how homes, green spaces, community facilities and infrastructure could be delivered across all proposed allocation sites.
- Ensure connectivity between the sites and the existing community.
The site
Five proposed development sites
The draft District Plan identifies five sites around Sayers Common as being suitable for development:
- DPSC3: Land to the South of Reeds Lane (Berkeley Latimer site)
- DPSC4: Land at Chesapeake and Meadow View, Reeds Lane
- DPSC5: Land at Coombe Farm, London Road
- DPSC6: Land to the West of Kings Business Centre, Reeds Lane
- DPSC7: Land South of LVS, Hassocks, London Road
- DPSC3: Land to the South of Reeds Lane (Berkeley Latimer site) – Masterplan being prepared
- DPSC4: Land at Chesapeake and Meadow View, Reeds Lane – Planning application submitted
- DPSC5: Land at Coombe Farm, London Road – Planning application submitted
- DPSC6: Land to the West of Kings Business Centre, Reeds Lane – Planning application submitted
- DPSC7: Land South of LVS, Hassocks, London Road – Planning application being prepared
Allocation DPSC3
Berkeley Latimer’s role
Berkeley Latimer is leading the preparation of this Masterplan Framework to provide a holistic vision for the whole of Sayers Common. It incorporates the emerging proposals for the development of sites DPSC4-7 which have been prepared by the promoters of those sites. It also provides a masterplan specifically for the Berkeley Latimer site (DPSC3 Land to the South of Reeds Lane) which seeks to ensure that the development of this site sits within a wider, integrated framework for Sayers Common, reflecting local aspirations for a unified, village-wide approach.
The Land to the South of Reeds Lane is expected to provide:
- Around 2,000 homes, including 30% affordable housing.
- New community facilities and places to work.
- New green spaces and enhanced habitat for nature.
- Walking, cycling and bus connections to Sayers Common and beyond.
- Mobility hubs – shared locations for buses, bikes, and car clubs.
- New drainage infrastructure to manage flood risk and enhance biodiversity.
Infrastructure
Delivery Strategy
The Masterplan Framework will include an Infrastructure Delivery Strategy and Phasing Plan. These will show:
- How key infrastructure will be delivered in a coordinated and timely way.
- How services and facilities could support both the new and existing community.
- How impacts will be mitigated, particularly around drainage, movement and local services.
FAQs
Your key questions answered
What is a Masterplan Framework?
A Masterplan Framework sets out a coordinated vision for how development could come forward across the Sayers Common allocations. It brings together the key principles for landscape, nature recovery, movement, access, drainage, green and blue infrastructure, community facilities and homes, and shows how these elements can be planned in an integrated way.
In line with the Mid Sussex District Plan (Regulation 19), the masterplan provides a holistic and landscape-led framework so that proposed development sites are not considered in isolation, but instead form part of a connected sustainable community with strong links to the existing community. It also sets the structure for how supporting infrastructure would be phased and delivered.
How does this relate to other planning applications?
The draft District Plan identifies five proposed allocation sites around Sayers Common (DPSC3–DPSC7). Berkeley Latimer is preparing the masterplan for DPSC3: Land to the South of Reeds Lane, but the Framework Masterplan must also reflect the wider allocations to ensure a joined-up approach to movement, green spaces, drainage, infrastructure and neighbourhood connections.
This means the masterplan will:
- include a context plan showing all five sites and how they relate to each other
- set out cross-boundary connections, including active-travel routes and green infrastructure
- help guide how individual planning applications relate to the overall vision
- support Mid Sussex District Council in considering how development across the allocation fits together
Each promoter will still prepare its own planning application, but the Council has confirmed that applications will be considered against the principles of the developing masterplan to ensure coherence across the whole area.