Councillors and residents to battle against more houses in Barns Green

Around 75 residents queued out the door at Barns Green Village Hall to listen to the latest meeting of Itchingfield Parish Council where parish, district and county councillors discussed the proposals.

The application outlines the creation of 63 new homes on Ropers and Cheffins Fields along Sandhills Road.

According to the developers in their design access scheme the scale of development would be appropriate to the setting and would be in keeping with the character and appearance of the village.

But councillors were against the plans, raising concerns about traffic and the lack of infrastructure currently available in the village.

They added it would not be appropriate to allow another build in the area until the impact of the Ashmiles development on the village, which has created 69 homes and a new school, is known.

Councillors were also ‘horrified’ with Horsham District Council’s planning department as neither the parish, district or county councillors were told about the application when it was submitted.

Penny Simpson, chairman of Itchingfield Parish Council, said: “I was horrified by the action of Horsham District Council Planning.

“I thought it was a disgrace they did not involve Itchingfield Parish Council. I can assure you so you are all aware we are completely against it.”

She added residents needed to continue writing to the council to object to the plans.

For more reaction see next week’s County Times.