Plans to build a retail park in Sussex village approved conditionally by Horsham District Council

The application from West Sussex County Council to redevelop a former depot off of the A24, was discussed by the planning committee on Tuesday (September 3).

While recognising the economic and employment benefits of the new site – which is expected to include branches of Lidl and B&Q as well as Starbucks and McDonald’s drive-thrus – several councillors raised concerns about whether cyclists and pedestrians would be able to get to the site easily.

Following a suggestion from Ruth Fletcher (Lib Dem, Denne), the committee agreed the plans could be approved – subject to improvements to the cycle and pedestrian access, particularly around the Wickhurst Lane underpass.

They also called for a condition to be added to the planning permission safeguarding land between the site and the neighbouring Broadbridge Retail Park to allow for another pedestrian/cycle link to be built in the future.

James Brookes (Lib Dem, Broadbridge Heath) accused the county council of being ‘content to meet the lowest possible bar’ when it came to pedestrian/cycle access and not being ‘particularly receptive’ to efforts from Horsham officers to ‘request improvements’.

Recognising that the district council had no grounds to refuse the application, he supported the motion from Cllr Fletcher.

The new development is expected to generate around 150 jobs.

There will be parking for 230 cars, including a number of electric vehicle charging points, and space for 108 bicycles.

A mini roundabout will be built at the customer entrance via Wickhurst Lane, while service vehicles will enter via the A24.

There will be three pedestrian entrances via Wickhurst Lane, Broadbridge Way and near the neighbouring Tesco petrol station.

Cllr Fletcher said it had been ‘frustrating’ trying to get improvements made.

She described the Wickhurst Lane underpass as ‘sub-standard’ and the Broadbridge Way crossing as ‘rather dangerous’.

As for the new mini roundabout, she felt it would make things ‘more hostile’ for cyclists and ‘fiddly and awkward’ for pedestrians.

The depot was declared surplus to requirements by West Sussex County Council in 2018, and plans for the retail park were submitted in June 2023.

The public has been divided over the proposals, with the district council receiving letters of objection and support.

Concerns raised included ‘blight and over-development’, traffic congestion and whether such a park was even needed.

But those supporting the plans felt the redevelopment of the ‘eye-sore’ site was needed and welcomed the new jobs it would create.

To view the plans in full, log on to public-access.horsham.gov.uk and search for DC/23/1133.