Confusion at strategic site selection process

During last week’s meeting where Horsham District Council’s draft housing policy was approved for public consultation, even some councillors questioned the selection process.

Claire Vickers (Con, Southwater), cabinet member for living and working communities, said during the meeting they had taken an exhaustive look at every possible housing site in the district.

However Roger Smith, of the Campaign to Protect Rural England Sussex, said: “We are very concerned that no explanation is given of why the ‘proposed’ strategic sites have been chosen for future development. One could be forgiven for believing that the pressure from developers has determined selection.”

Strategic sites that have been discussed in the past include Mayfield Market Town’s scheme for a 10,000-home new settlement between Henfield and Sayers Common, and 2,500 to 3,500 homes West of Ifield.

Richard Thomas, director of Welbeck Land, which is leading a consortium of developers to promote the West of Ifield scheme, said he had written to the council asking why the strategic site was excluded from its plan.

Mr Thomas said: “It remains our position that West of Ifield is necessary in order for Horsham to assist its close neighbour, Crawley, in meeting its housing need which physically cannot be accommodated within its borough boundaries.”

The new draft housing plan does not rule out a new market town, as it says: “Solutions such as a step change to a smaller settlement or a new market town may be need to be explored to ensure that the intrinsic rural character of the area is preserved and that a bold comprehensive approach to future housing and economic growth is investigated.”

Lee Newlyn, a director of Mayfield Market Towns, said: “Horsham’s strategy of ‘add ons’ will open the floodgates to further development on existing towns and villages.

“The district should consider how it can deliver new homes in a way that also provides enough facilities and services to meet the needs of residents.