Hemsleys Meadow and Finches Field Masterplan

Plans showing the design proposals for Hemsleys Meadow and Finches Field are now available to download from the Plans and Documents section of this page. They also form part of the planning application which has been submitted to Mid Sussex District Council – ref DM/24/0114.

The latest plans still reflect the themes that were important to people when the first round of consultation was completed.

The most significant change proposed at Hemsleys Meadow is the new path network and play opportunities. The paths create a surfaced loop around the meadow, with a link through to the community centre and car park on Finches Field.

In a change from the previous plan, the proposal is for most of the play items to be on Hemsleys Meadow. Earth excavated when creating the wetland features create a play mound with different ways to climb up and a slide back down. Consideration has been given to our neighbours when designing this, so it is positioned away from properties and buffered by tree planting. Opportunities for play are scattered around the western half of the meadow so that children and families can be fully immersed in their natural surroundings, with swings, a climbing frame, hammock, balance beams and den building station.

A picnic area with picnic tables makes it easier for families to stay for longer.

New seating installed around the path network offers somewhere for visitors to sit.

On Finches Field, a small, surfaced area with seating, table tennis and hammock offer something for all ages to enjoy close to the community centre.

Tree planting around both fields is an investment for the future, to provide shade for hot days, home for wildlife as well as helping to remove carbon from the atmosphere.

If you would like to see the more detailed information included in the planning application, or comment on the planning application, please do so via the online public register - https://pa.midsussex.gov.uk/online-applications/ and enter reference number DM/24/0114.

If you have a general question about the project this can be submitted either using the Ask a Question option on the Hub or by sending an email to parksopenspaces@midsussex.gov.uk

To understand what happens next, please see the Project Lifecycle on this page. The plans have been checked by a professional Quantity Surveyor who has provided a cost estimate for the works which show the design is currently within budget. But it is important to note that these are estimates and that prices could rise when we get quotes from contractors which could mean changes will need to be made.

Surveyors will be at Hemsleys Meadow and Finches Field during the first couple of weeks of September to carry out the site assessment for the Ground Investigation survey. This will involve drilling in locations agreed with the design team engineers.

Mid Sussex District Council are working with a member of the Association of Geotechnical & Geoenvironmental Specialists. They will use a track mounted hydraulic drilling rig to drill exploratory holes which can then be used for testing. They will fence off the area whilst they are working and backfill the holes once they are finished.

A Ground Investigation survey seeks to establish the soil and rock profile. The data they collect will form part of a report used by the design team engineers when designing drainage features or foundation details.

From Friday 18^th August, you might spot some strange mats in the hedgerows and leaf piles around Hemsleys Meadow and Finches Field. Don’t worry, these are not fly tipping, they are part of a reptile survey and should be left alone.

Mid Sussex District Council are working with a Registered Practice of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management to make sure that any changes we make do not have a negative impact on the site’s wildlife.

In Spring 2023, our Ecologists carried out a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal which identified suitable habitats for reptiles. The four common reptile species (slow-worm Anguis fragilis, common lizard Zootoca vivipara, adder Vipera berus and grass snake Natrix natrix) are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act. It is an offence to intentionally kill or injure any of our native snakes and lizards.

We now need an experienced reptile expert to carry out further surveys.

The reptile survey involves laying artificial refuges (reptile mats) to attract the reptiles and make them easier to detect. Over the following few weeks, the ecologists will be back to check for reptile activity.

These surveys will determine the value of the site for these species and if we need to formulate a suitable mitigation strategy.

Surveyors will be at Hemsleys Meadow and Finches Field for one day during the week of 27^th March to carry out the site assessment for the Underground Utility survey. There will be no impact on use for visitors to the fields.

An Underground Utility survey seeks to identify the location of below ground services such as electricity and communications cables, gas and drainage pipes.

Mid Sussex District Council are working with a Registered Practice of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors who will send one or two surveyors to scan the site. They will use a combination of Electromagnet tracing and Ground Penetrating Radar to identify the location and depth of underground services.

The drawings they produce will be used by our landscape architects to make informed decisions when deciding where to position features requiring excavation. This will safeguard contractors and prevent disruption to utility services and delays in the project during construction.

The survey that was seeking views on how you want to be able to play at Finches Field and Hemsleys Meadow closed at midnight on 6th March. We had a total of 45 responses, thank you to those people who shared their ideas for how they want to play on the fields.

All the responses have been sent to our Landscape Architects to consider whilst developing the designs for the whole site.

The developed plans will be presented back to the public with a further opportunity to comment in a few months’ time. Make sure you subscribe and follow the project to be notified when the plans are ready.

MSDC Officers were in outside the community centre on Finches Field to publicise the launch of the playground consultation on Monday 20^th February. Officers spoke to visitors about how they can share their views and ideas for the future play facility by filling in the online survey. The survey is open until March 6^th.

All the feedback collected will be used to help develop the designs for the play space to create somewhere that local families really want to visit.

MSDC Officers also answered questions from residents about the wider park masterplan and the impact on their enjoyment of the space. The plans will be presented back with a further opportunity to comment in a few months’ time.