Developers in fight to build 191 new homes on West Sussex farmland
Developers are launching a fight to build up to 191 new homes on farmland in a West Sussex village.
Croudace Homes submitted a planning application to build the houses on land east of Charlwood Drive in Henfield – but the application was turned down by Horsham District Council.
However, Croudace Homes have now lodged an appeal against the council’s refusal and a final decision will be made by a government planning inspector.
Their application was originally turned down because, the council said, the development was planned on land outside the village’s defined built-up area.
Concerns were also raised over a lack of a completed agreement regarding ‘affordable’ housing, biodiversity and water neutrality.
Many local residents – and South Downs MP Andrew Griffith – raised objections to the proposals. Mr Griffith said residents had shared their concerns with him, including loss of green fields and wildlife habitats, road access which would impact traffic on Wantley Hill, and significant pressures it would put on local infrastructure in the village ‘reducing the quality of life for residents’.
Croudace Homes say the proposed new housing would adjoin an existing settlement and maintains that ‘the level of expansion is appropriate and meets local housing needs.’