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23 November 2009
Countryside Properties has submitted a new outline planning application relating to land south of Broadbridge Heath, near Horsham, West Sussex which forms part of Horsham District Council’s West of Horsham strategic allocation. The application, for 963 predominantly family homes of mixed-tenure, follows extensive consultation with the local community and the council, further to the earlier application submitted to the District Council in November 2008. It maximises the potential for integrating the development with the existing community of Broadbridge Heath and puts forward a new transport solution.
The proposals constitute a sustainable residential-led mixed-use scheme that will contribute significantly towards housing provision in the district and enhance access to open space and recreational opportunities. The homes will be built to high levels of environmental sustainability. It provides new services and community facilities for existing and new residents in an accessible location.
The transport solution minimises the impact of the development on the existing highway network through a number of improvements. These include the proposal to downgrade the existing A264 Broadbridge Heath bypass and partially close it in order to help integrate the new development with the existing community. It is also intended that a new junction will be provided south of the Farthings Hill junction on the A24, together with a 40mph east-west dual link road for through traffic, featuring extensive noise mitigation measures. There will also be signalised junctions on the new east-west link to provide greater connectivity for pedestrians. In addition, sustainable forms of travel are to be maximised through allocated pedestrian, cycle and equestrian routes.
John Oldham, Director and Chief Town Planner at Countryside Properties, said: “We have listened to local people and taken on board their genuine concerns for the area. Our revised proposals will allow good integration to take place between the new community and existing homes. Our plans will alleviate many of the traffic issues and in the longer term could even lessen congestion in the area as local people make use of our green routes through the development and improved bus service.”
Other amendments within the application include a number of environmental design improvements. These include revisions to the surface water drainage strategy; provision of additional design information in respect of the ecological mitigation measures (including those in respect of bats, reptiles and great crested newts) and inclusion of an additional pond for newts. The plans also include a focus on the ‘green corridors’ for wildlife, specifically Mill Lane and the integration across the east-west link.
The overall development will provide land for a new primary school and for the potential expansion of the Leisure Centre, equipped play areas and youth facilities including multi-use games areas, open access ball courts and a skate park. There will be high quality open space and linkages to the countryside beyond. Opportunities for local employment are accommodated within the neighbourhood centre to comprise a doctors’ surgery (to accommodate up to five GPs), five small flexible units (to be used for retail / commercial purposes subject to viability), a parish office and a restaurant/public house. There is also provision for allotments and formal sports pitches including a pavilion with changing facilities.
The applications are accompanied by a number of supporting documents including a Design and Access Statement, an Illustrative Masterplan, a Transport Assessment, Flood Risk Assessment and an Environmental Impact Assessment.
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Information correct as at 23/11/2009