Charities would benefit

Behind the plans, which are being promoted for inclusion in the Local Plan, are the trustees of the will of the late Clarence Preston.

Mr Preston, who died in 1994, lived at Downlands Farm for 35 years. After making full provision for his widow he left the residue of his estate to be distributed to the 17 charities.

He stipulated that the farm, potentially a very valuable asset, should not be sold unless and until planning permission had been obtained for its development.

Trustees Michael Clark and Peter Gale, who in a letter to the Express stressed they were not developers, said it was their responsibility to realise this potential for the benefit of the charities, some national and others local.

Towards that end they had assembled a 'highly professional' team of advisers, some of whom made a presentation of the proposals for Downlands Farm at a meeting of the town forum held on February 4 and subsequently reported in the Express.

The charities include the Horder Centre, League of Friends of Uckfield Hospital, St Catherine's Hospice, St Peter and St James Hospice, and St Wilfred's Hospice.