Developer admits ‘disappointment’ at scheme’s refusal

The developer behind the scheme for 42 retirement apartments in Storrington has said it was ‘disappointed’ by the decision to refuse it planning permission.

Horsham District Council’s Development Control South Committee threw out McCarthy and Stone’s plans last week on the grounds of overdevelopment of the site, inadequate contributions to affordable housing, and the appearance of the two and three-storey building.

The developer was hoping to build on land off Ryecroft Lane behind Mill Stream Medical Centre, and would have included communal facilities, car parking, landscaping, and the re-siting of car parking spaces for the medical centre because of a change in access arrangements to the site.

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A spokesperson for McCarthy and Stone said: “We’re disappointed that our proposal was refused by the planning committee.

Planning permission would have allowed us to deliver a scheme specifically designed for people later in life which would have addressed an identified housing need of Storrington.

“Through our extensive consultation with the local community we worked hard to create a sensitively-designed scheme which addressed their concerns and attracted a lot of interest from potential customers. It would also have delivered other financial contributions to the area.

“We will now consider our position and decide in the coming months whether we appeal against this decision.”

Plans were for 26 one-bedroom and 12 two-bed apartments.

The officer’s report recommended the scheme be refused.

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It read: “The proposed development by virtue of its height, scale, and massing would represent an overdevelopment of the site and would thereby have a detrimental impact on the character and appearance of the surrounding area.”