Greenbelt development in Crawley: Save West of Ifield campaign to protect ‘Biodiversity Opportunity Area’

The proposed development will stretch from Crawley to Horsham, connecting the two towns together.

A lot of the species of plants in the area, like the ancient hedgerows, provide homes for many different species of animals and act as carbon sinks.

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The area is important to the local community as the land is used by a large number of people recreationally.

Save West of Ifield are campaigning to preserve the area and are looking for local people to get involved.

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Vice Chair Annabel Helm: “Save West of Ifield campaign was started because of a proposal from Homes England to Horsham District Council for 10,000 new homes on a greenbelt site.

“The new development will stretch from Crawley to Horsham and will destroy huge amounts of ancient agricultural and rural greenfield sites in the process.

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“It’s a beautiful, agricultural area. The site is entirely greenfield, made up of agricultural land and there is a golf course that’s about to celebrate its hundredth anniversary this year, areas of ancient woodland, hedgerows, very mature trees, wildlife with the River Mole running through the site.

“The question we would like to ask is that with the focus on climate change and the move away from developing greenfield sites into brownfield sites, why isn't the government and developers not looking at stopping the destruction of these carbon sinks and not coming up with more creative alternatives.

“Sadly, the answer probably is that there isn’t enough profit in it. We need to safeguard our future and be guardians to our natural world.

“Ifield West was designated as green space but unfortunately now we see Crawley as being circled by dual carriageways, we are having access to nature removed from us left right and centre.

“The development will see the full completion of the circling of dual carriageway. Right now the site is used by a huge amount of the community, a lot of dog walkers, huge amounts of biodiversity, farmland and a really thriving golf course.

“It’s being used by many people in the community, it would be a huge loss.

“As there aren't any main roads in the West of Ifield area at the moment, we are the start of a wildlife corridor which effectively runs all the way to Rusper and Charlwood.

“This means we are home to a huge array of animals such as Little Egrets, Kingfishers, Deer and Rabbits etc. Also from a plant perspective, ancient hedgerows which are being recognised as key carbon sinks and a few ancient trees. It would be a shame to lose them now.

“Sussex Wildlife Trust has designated the area as a biodiversity opportunity area, because of the biodiversity that is here."

Sinead Hanna, on behalf of Homes England, said: "Homes England is not a private developer, and is not driven by profit; we are the Government’s housing accelerator and we are tasked with enabling more homes and supporting infrastructure to be built in areas of greatest need, and to improve affordability.

"Homes England’s West of Ifield scheme is for up to 3,250 homes, not 10,000. As acknowledged by Horsham as part of their consultation on the draft Local Plan, this scheme sits within a wider opportunity area to the West of Crawley that could meet the long term development needs of both Crawley and Horsham - but at the moment, we are only working to the plans for up to 3,250 homes and supporting community infrastructure at West of Ifield.

"The area in question is not greenbelt land - greenbelt is a specific planning term that does not apply to this site.

"The West of Ifield is targeting 50% of the space to be retained as open space, including retained countryside, important habitats and a new country park. The ancient hedgerows and woodland mentioned by Save West of Ifield and areas such Brook Meadows do NOT fall within the development area. Not only will these areas be protected, but we will also carry out environmental impact studies to ensure there are no significant impacts and to safeguard them for the future.

"These are the early stages in a long process and there will be multiple opportunities for the public to learn more about our plans, and to have their say on key elements."

If you want more detail, please visit: https://www.savewestofifield.co.uk/ and join their Facebook group that people can use to keep up to date.