Plans for four gypsy/traveller pitches in West Sussex village deferred after drainage concerns

The application to change the use of a patch of land at The Slips, on West End Lane, was discussed by the planning committee on Tuesday (April 28).

Objectors said the application went against the Henfield Neighbourhood Plan as the site was outside the built-up area boundary – though officers said there was no conflict as such plans were ‘essentially silent’ on gypsy and traveller sites.

Concerns were also raised about the impact on badgers, safety along the narrow road – which has no continuous paving or lighting – and the number of pitches already approved in the area.

Between April 1 2024 and March 31 2025, the council approved 34 pitches across the district – three in Henfield. It needs to provide 61 within the first five years of its emerging Local Plan up to 2028.

Because of the 27-pitch shortfall, something called the tilted balance comes into play, giving the application much more strength.

Gill Perry (Green, Henfield) highlighted a number of concerns about flooding and drainage, which were shared by the committee.

After the vote was tied at 5-5 with 2 abstentions, chairman Len Ellis-Brown tabled a motion to defer until further information was presented to the committee on the drainage strategy, detailing the proposed means for the disposal of foul and surface water.

Decisions on two other applications – for four pitches at Furners Lane, Woodmancote, and two pitches in Pickhurst Lane, Pulborough – were adjourned to a later date.

To view the applications, log on to public-access.horsham.gov.uk and search for DC/25/1700, DC/24/0506 and DC/25/1371.