Horsham Bishopric and Carfax regeneration changes
A number of changes have been made to Horsham District Council’s regeneration plans for the Carfax and the Bishopric.
During a scrutiny committee meeting on Wednesday, September 9, Ruth Fletcher, cabinet member for planning and infrastructure, said the changes had been made following ‘a significant amount of feedback’.
The plans to regenerate the two areas via a programme of public realm improvements received a mixed reaction last year – including a 1,700-name petition opposed to the removal of the stream and rockery from Bishopric West. While the stream will still go, the waterfall feature will stay and be upgraded.
Plans for a cycle route through the central plaza of the Bishopric have been dropped after concerns were raised about pedestrian safety.
Birch trees planted in the splash pool where the Shelley Fountain used to stand will be removed, but more trees will be planted in the central plaza.
In the Carfax, proposals to make it a Pedestrian Priority Zone, restricting through-traffic, have also been dropped, while a number of pedestrian crossings will be widened.
A planned crossing opposite the entrance to Piries Place will no longer be installed as the bus stops will need to stay in their current positions.
Because of the bus stops, the design of the proposed cycle contraflow from Chart Way to Blackhorse Way has been narrowed, realigned and extended down South Street.
Since January 2025, the estimated cost of the schemes has changed. For the Carfax, it has risen from £5.95million to £6.4million. For the Bishopric, it stands at £3.2million. It had risen to £4.1million – but the figure was brought back down by removing plans for work on Worthing Road, south of the bus station.
The council is set to allocate £1.2million from theWest Sussex County Council BusinessRates Pool to help pay for the Bishopric work. If all goes as planned, work will start in January 2027 and be complete by May 2028.
The committee was told that the Carfax part of the scheme was still in the design stage as money for construction phase ‘has not yet been identified’.
A report will be put to a meeting of the cabinet later this month.
Ms Fletcher said: “The fundamental vision remains unchanged, and this scheme will create a high-quality, more accessible, attractive and economically viable town centre environment that supports residents, visitors and businesses, while enabling active travel, enhanced biodiversity and strengthened community cohesion.”