Scores of objections over plans for new gypsy site in West Sussex countryside

Nearby residents have lodged a flood of letters with Horsham District Council raising concerns over proposals to knock down an equestrian centre and commercial buildings at West Chiltington Lane in Coneyhurst to make way for 12 gypsy and traveller pitches.

Residents are worried that access to the site is via a narrow road which, they say, could not cope with extra traffic. And they are concerned that there are already two gypsy sites nearby.

One said: “With over 40 pitches within a two mile radius I feel there is already an over-saturation of the gypsy and traveller provisions in one localised area.”

Many are concerned that the site would amount to an ‘overdevelopment’ in the area and would be detrimental to wildlife.

A previous application for 12 pitches at the site was turned down by the council, but PROwe Planning – agents for applicant William Nicholson – say that previous concerns have been addressed with the new proposals.

They say that the existing buildings on the site are no longer needed and a prior notification application for their demolition was granted in November last year.

In a statement to the council, they add: “Given that the proposals would replace existing development, therefore retaining the surrounding undeveloped fields, and the residential nature of the proposed use, it is not considered that the proposed development would result in marked increase in harmful activity or intensification of activity within the countryside beyond that of the existing uses of the site.

“No external lighting is proposed; however, the applicant would be happy for this to be conditioned accordingly as per the requirements of the council.”

There are two public rights of way in the area but the agents say it is proposed to apply to West Sussex County Council Rights of Way team to have one of them re-positioned.

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The agents add: “Given the distances maintained, the existing uses within the site and the mixture of uses within the immediate vicinity it is considered unlikely that the proposal would adversely affect the nearest neighbouring development by reason of loss of privacy, noise, or disturbance.”

They say that appropriate provisions would be made for foul and surface water drainage and that mitigation measures would be put in place to ensure ‘water neutrality.’