Developers reveal proposals for new housing on land in West Sussex village

Wates Developments are seeking outline planning permission from Horsham District Council to build the houses on land off Marringdean Road in Billingshurst.

The land is a 10-acre site to the south of the village opposite land that has recently been developed for housing.

In a design statement to the council, Wates say: “Sensitive development of this sustainable site could provide for new private and affordable homes. The proposals will create a new ‘place’ in Billingshurst, which complements the village and has its own distinct identity.”

They add: “Our vision is to create a high quality extension to Billingshurst that respects all aspects of its surrounding environment and provides an attractive place for people to live and play.”

The site is not currently earmarked for housing in Horsham’s Local Plan, but say Wates: “The delivery of homes in such a sustainable location is a significant public benefit.”

They add the land provides ‘potential to create a new public amenity to the south of Billingshurst in a natural wooded environment’ and would be comparable

in scale and form to other recent developments nearby.

They say they propose to retain existing trees and hedgerows and provide a ‘village green’ environment with houses in a ‘loose courtyard arrangement.’

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They plan to create a new access road off Marringdean Road if planning approval is granted by the council but no decisions have yet been made.