963 homes plan for near Broadbridge Heath
NEW outline plans for 963 homes and a 'transport solution' have been submitted by Countryside Properties for the west of Horsham development south of Broadbridge Heath.
The developer said the application was for 'predominantly family homes of mixed-tenure' and follows 'extensive consultation' with the community and district council further to its earlier application.
Land for a new primary school is part of the scheme 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 would 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 (for up to five GPs), five small flexible units (to be used for retail or commercial purposes subject to viability), a parish office and a restaurant or public house. There is also provision for allotments and formal sports pitches, including a pavilion with changing facilities.
The existing A264 Broadbridge Heath bypass would be downgraded and partially closed 'to help integrate the new development with the existing community'.
A new junction would 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 would also be signalised junctions on the new east-west link to provide greater connectivity for pedestrians.
Previous plans were for a mixed use development of up to 1,013 residential units, a primary school, a neighbourhood centre including doctors' surgery, six business or retail units, a parish office, a pub or restaurant and associated car parking, open space including sports pitches and changing facilities, allotments and associated landscaping and infrastructure works.
Countryside Properties said 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 would be built to high levels of environmental sustainability and the plans provide 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'. Sustainable forms of travel were 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.
There are 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.
A spokesperson for Horsham District Council said: "The outline planning permission contains the preferred set of parameter plans with their descriptions.
"The development proposal includes the provision of up to 963 residential units, community facilities including land for a primary school and a neighbourhood centre, youth and recreational facilities, other formal and informal open space, landscaping and environmental works, transport and access arrangements on to the A24; a new east-west link road connecting with Five Oaks Road; improvements to Five Oaks roundabout; and the realignment and partial closure of the existing A264 Broadbridge Heath by-pass and other ancillary uses.
"The plans and their accompanying statements seek to fix general development principles for the scheme, such as the location and scale of main land uses, the location of open spaces and main routes."
Berkeley Homes has been consulting on its plans for 1,000 homes for the part of the development east of the A24.
The proposals include 13 acres of parkland, a new community centre, allotments, sports pitches and the allocation of land for a new fire station.
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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