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Village behind Camberwick Green 'could be destroyed'

BBC A small puppet with a pink face, long blonde hair, a brown rimmed hat, red neckerchief and blue shirt. The puppet is stood among plants and a brown backgroundBBC
Windy Miller appeared in Camberwick Green, a fictional village said to have been based on Wivelsfield Green in East Sussex

Residents of the East Sussex village believed to have inspired the children's TV programme Camberwick Green say it is at risk of being destroyed.

Housing developer Taylor Wimpey wants to build 150 homes, 40% of which would be "affordable", on land south of Green Road in Wivelsfield Green to address the area's "significant unmet need for new homes".

The government has said its planning framework ensures housebuilding is "responsive to local circumstances in rural areas".

But campaigners claim their historic village is being overdeveloped and that its infrastructure is at breaking point.

BBC/Charlotte Wright Ten people in various fancy dress costumes as characters from the TV show Camberwick Green. They are stood in a field beneath a tree. The sky behind them is greyBBC/Charlotte Wright
Villagers dressed as characters from Camberwick Green, including Mickey Murphy the baker (front left) and Mrs Cobbit (right)

Wivelsfield Green is said to be the inspiration behind Gordon Murray's Camberwick Green - a beloved stop-motion animation show which hit television screens in 1966 and was part of the Trumptonshire Trilogy.

But many residents of the real-life village say it could soon be unrecognisable, with 141 new homes currently under construction and the Taylor Wimpey plans waiting for the green light.

BBC/Charlotte Wright A man looking at the camera wearing a brown cowboy-style hat, red and white neckerchief and blue jumper. Behind him is a blurred tree and fieldBBC/Charlotte Wright
Richard Morris protesting against the plans wearing the costume of Windy Miller - the lead character in Camberwick Green

"We're fed up with the amount of development in the village and around the area, enough is enough," said resident Richard Morris.

"Poor old Windy Miller would be turning in his grave."

Campaigners say the local primary school is already oversubscribed, GPs in the area are at capacity and traffic through the village has increased by 980% over the past decade.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said its "ambitious" plans to build 1.5m new homes would "not come at the expense of the environment or local infrastructure".

Taylor Wimpey An aerial view of field surrounded by residential properties. The field are layered with CGI shapes, green and cream, to show were housing could be builtTaylor Wimpey
The 21-hectare plot is currently arable and pasture land

A ministry spokesperson added: "We are committed to improving the quality of life for people living and working in rural areas, as well as ensuring any new developments provide the necessary affordable homes and infrastructure that local communities need."

A Taylor Wimpey spokesperson said it believed it had put forward a "positive proposal" which was well received by the community.

It added that 70% of the 21-hectare site would be opened to the public as a green community space, on land that is currently privately owned.

The BBC understands that 1.2 acres of the site would be used as additional land for Wivelsfield Primary School.

Taylor Wimpey has submitted an outline planning application to the district council and will submit a "reserved matters" application later this year.

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