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The environment secretary has granted Lindfield Cricket Club consent for works on Lindfield Common, north of Haywards Heath in West Sussex. The society, with Lindfield Parish Council and some individuals, objected to the application under section 38 of the Commons Act 2006 for the extension of the cricket pavilion, two permanent cricket-nets, and other works.
We considered that the works would interfere with the public’s rights to free access over the whole common and the use of the land for quiet recreation, and would cause a noisy visual intrusion.
The planning inspector, acting for the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, took account of the objections but concluded that the works ‘will provide increased opportunities for enjoyment of this part of the common for the playing of cricket; will contribute to the amenities of the local community; and will support the traditional use of this part of the common.’
We are sorry that this application has been permitted since we believe that it will have an adverse effect on the common. We fear that local residents’ rights to peaceful enjoyment of the land will be jeopardised by the use of the land for cricket.