Campaigners ‘overjoyed’ at winning battle to save Horsham fields from development

Campaigners who battled to save Horsham fields from development say they are ‘overjoyed’ at their victory.
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Residents formed a group known as ‘Keep Our Green Spaces’ - KOGS - to halt plans by developers to build 473 houses on fields at Newhouse Farm, off Old Crawley Road, Roffey.

And they are delighted after Horsham District Council this week refused planning permission for the new estate.

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Spokeswoman Heather Playfoot said: “This has been a fantastic result after all the hard work the community across Horsham has done in raising awareness of the proposed plan to build 473 houses on our beautiful countryside.

Fields at Newhouse Farm, Roffey SUS-200408-112241001Fields at Newhouse Farm, Roffey SUS-200408-112241001
Fields at Newhouse Farm, Roffey SUS-200408-112241001

“We are grateful to Horsham District Council for listening to our concerns and supporting our objections.

“Whilst being overjoyed, we are also aware that the battle to save our countryside has only just begun should (development company) Fairrfax decide to appeal the decision.

“In the meantime, residents old and young will continue to enjoy the fields and woods, creating memories as we have done for many years.

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“Let’s not forget the abundance of wildlife which lives in the area earmarked for development which can continue to live in peace.”

Also pleased at the decision is North Horsham Parish Council which had also opposed the development.

The council said it had “received a multitude of serious concerns from members of the public and local residents on the negative impact on the community and standard of life the development would introduce and exacerbate.”

It also pointed out that such a development would have a detrimental impact on the area which is classified as one of ‘Outstanding Natural Beauty,’ would result in a loss of fields for agriculture and would damage the habitat of woodland within the site and an adjacent ancient woodland.

It also cited a lack of infrastructure and increased traffic problems amid the proximity of already-approved plans for 2,750 homes on land nearby, north of Horsham.