Hundreds of villagers have protested over controversial plans by Eton College to build a new town with over 3,000 homes that would ‘wipe out’ an ancient tiny hamlet. 

More than 200 residents of East Chiltington village turned out on Saturday to protest plans unveiled by the school – where fees exceed £60,000 a year – to erect 3,250 houses on green-belt land bordering the South Downs National Park. 

Eton purchased the land, which is located 60 miles from its premises, speculatively several years ago as an investment. 

But locals have expressed concerns the huge development, modelled on the King’s town of Poundbury in Dorset, would see the rural parish’s population explode by 15 times – taking it from 400 to 6,000.

It would also swallow up two other neighbouring villages, creating a ‘sprawling’ new town of more than 10,000 residents.

The site also sits on the edge of the heavily protected South Downs National Park, with objections raised the development would destroy wildlife habitats as well as bring pollution to the area through increased traffic and congestion.

It is the second time Eton – where Prince George is due to start next week – has tried to develop the land, after a previous scheme in 2021 was rejected by planning authorities seeking to protect East Chiltington.

Now, residents from the village have expressed their concerns once more – packing into the entrance to Plumpton Racecourse over the weekend as developers, Welbeck, planned a meeting inside.

Hundreds of villagers from East Chiltington have protested over controversial plans by Eton College to build a new town with over 3,000 homes that would ‘wipe out’ their hamlet

More than 200 residents turned out on Saturday to protest plans unveiled by the school to erect 3,250 houses on green-belt land bordering the South Downs National Park

Locals have expressed concerns the huge development, modelled on the King’s town of Poundbury in Dorset, would see the rural parish’s population explode by 15 times

An artist’s impression of the new development which has sparked a huge local backlash in East Sussex

The homes will be built on 450 acres of green-belt land next to the village of East Chiltington

Retired builder Steve Funnell, 64, described Eton’s plans as ‘shameful and destructive’. 

He said building the new town will have a ‘huge impact’ on the community, as well as the environment and local residents. 

Jenni Toomey, 72, said: ‘This hamlet has stood undisturbed for centuries. Places around here are mentioned in the Domesday Book. But in one foul sweep Eton plans to change all that simply to line their own coffers. It’s absolutely shocking.’

Jo White, who helps run a music charity, Wishing Well, labelled the plans as ‘wholly inappropriate’ for the area. 

Ms White said: ‘Eton College is more than 60 miles away in Berkshire. Why are they not developing land around there. 

‘There is no empathy for the people who live here. It seems that they take the ‘out of sight, out of mind’ approach.’

Retired teacher Paddy David, 67, said the plans would mean ‘gridlock’. 

He said: ‘Any development around here will cause an urbanisation of the South Downs National Park. It’s a totally inappropriate site, completely lacking in the necessary infrastructure.

The new plans are tantamount to creating a sprawling new town with 10,000 residents, opponents claim

There are also concerns about the impact on wildlife in the nearby South Downs National Park

East Chiltington has sat untouched for around 1,000 years

‘The environmental impact would be huge but what really worries me is the effect on the community generated by 3,000 extra houses and the cars and vans they will drive. It’s going to be gridlock.

Welbeck Land, the developers working alongside Eton, say their public consultation – which began this weekend – will continue for eight weeks.

Alistair Watson, chief executive of Welbeck Land, said the area needs more housing to help bring property prices down.

He said: ‘Concentrating new homes and infrastructure in a single location is the best way to meet the area’s needs and can deliver far more benefits than piecemeal development.

‘Developable land outside the South Downs National Park is scarce. Brownfield sites alone cannot meet local housing need.

‘These plans offer one of the best opportunities to create sustainable growth in Lewes district, close to a well-connected rail station.’

The protest came as the Government announced last month it would relax planning laws to allow new homes to be built on undeveloped land close to train stations. 

Eton’s previous, similar proposals were thwarted by local planners who omitted it from its draft Local Plan as they recognised East Chiltington as one of the few remaining undeveloped areas of East Sussex.

It is the second time Eton College has tried to develop the land, after a previous attempt in 2021 was rejected

However, it is claimed that Eton is now hoping the Government’s plans to fast-track the building of new homes will boost its chances of going ahead.

East Chiltington is two miles from the larger village of Plumpton, which has a train station.

The new planning rules state there will be a ‘default yes’ to homes ‘within reasonable walking distance of well-connected stations’.

James MacCleary, the Liberal Democrat MP for Lewes, has opposed the plans. 

He previously said: ‘Any development would urbanise a unique part of the South Downs. It’s a totally inappropriate site, completely lacking in the necessary infrastructure.

‘The environmental impact is also very worrying – on animal life and biodiversity. But the most frightening thing about it is the traffic generation and carbon impact of all those additional vehicles.’