Protesters ‘horrified’ over plans to build 473 homes on Horsham farmland

Developers Fairfax want to build the homes on land at Newhouse Farm, Old Crawley Road, Roffey, and have now submitted a formal planning application to Horsham District Council.

But strong opposition is being put forward by people living nearby who say they are ‘horrified’ at the destruction of wildlife habitat that has been arable land for hundreds of years.

The land - which has two public rights of way across it - abuts ancient woodland and allotments, as well as public playing fields off Beech Road, Roffey.

The developers say that their “high quality development will help address the housing needs of the local area without having an undue impact on either neighbouring properties or the wider area.”

They say they propose to ensure there is ‘enhanced landscape buffering to boundaries and a country park style of open space.’

But objectors maintain there is no additional housing need in the area as 2,750 homes are to be built nearby on land north of Horsham.

There are also fears of a lack of infrastructure and increased traffic in the area.

They say the land is home to a variety of wildlife including deer, owls, bats, kites and buzzards.

One couple objecting to the proposals - Julie and Jose Capas - say: “We are horrified to think that so many houses might be built on this land.

“The roads leading out of Horsham are busy enough as it is.

“This area we understand has Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty status and is a haven for wildlife. We would lose this beautiful landscape, a community footpath, and suffer from increased traffic and noise.”

Other objectors say the land should be maintained as part of a green belt between Horsham and Crawley.

Colgate Parish Council has also lodged an objection describing the proposals as a “major development in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty for which there are no exceptional circumstances to build it, so planning permission should be refused.”

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