Campaigners fighting plans for ‘mini town’ near Billingshurst welcome change to housing targets

Residents group BigSTAND are opposing proposals to build 3,000 new homes on a greenfield site at Adversane.

They say they welcome news that plans to use a new algorithm to set how many homes need to be built in the area are being overhauled after a backlash from MPs - including South Downs MP Andrew Griffith - concerned the plans would concrete over vast swathes of countryside.

The formula used to produce targets for each area is being ‘rebalanced’ to focus on building homes in urban areas.

BigSTAND say any new housing should be focused in areas which are brown field sites, already have the infrastructure to support the new homes, including schools, health facilities, supermarkets and other community facilities.

They say that they should also have good public transport with the necessary capacity on trains and buses, alleviating the strain on already congested roads.

where employment opportunities are or allow for easy commuting via public transport.

BitSTAND chairman Julian Trumper said: “We welcome the news that the Government is changing the way that the number of new homes to be built in places like Horsham is being decided.

“The previous figures would have put huge and unsustainable pressure on the local environment and was universally condemned.

“We congratulate our local MP and his colleagues for battling so successfully to persuade the Government to change its mind on the housing figures.

“We will continue our fight to stop the damaging new town plan for Adversane and re-double our efforts to protect our countryside.”