Ditch new Broadbridge Heath retail park plan says Labour

West Sussex County Council is planning to build four new units at its highways depot off the old bypass next to Tesco.

Although the identities of the intended occupiers are not yet public, the plans include a discount food store, a DIY store and garden centre, a drive through take-away restaurant and a coffee shop.

But Labour says an online survey it conducted, receiving almost 500 replies from residents, shows deep concerns about the plan at a time when services and shops are already under huge pressure.

More than two thirds of those who expressed a preference (68 per cent) were strongly against the development with only one third (32 per cent) in favour of using this brownfield site to build a discount food store, DIY store and garden centre, a drive-through take away and coffee shop.

It was suggested there had been insufficient pbulic consultation, with many commenting that the £15million would be better spent on services such as a GP surgery or affordable housing.

Others were concerned about the impact of the new retail park on existing shops in Horsham town centre and elsewhere.

Joanne Kavanagh, Labour’s prospective election candidate for the Broadbridge Heath division, said: “It’s time for the Conservative-led West Sussex County Council to ditch this ill-considered proposal which risks council taxpayers’ money in a venture that could damage our community.

“This survey proves the strength of feeling against the plan. Local people would rather see more investment in much-needed services than speculating on yet another retail park when existing local retail businesses are struggling to survive.”

She questioned the wisdom of investing in new retail parks and felt some of the new units would be in direct competition with what Broadbridge Heath has now, such as the garden centre and coffee shop.

In response, Jeremy Hunt, the county council’s cabinet member for finance, said: “This is an exciting scheme which will not only make use of underutilised county council brownfield site, but will also support economic recovery and regeneration as part of our economy reset plan.

“Market research by our advisors has indicated that the site is an ideal location for a retail park. As well as benefiting the community, the scheme will also provide around 135 new jobs as well as generate a significant revenue return on investment for the county council for many years to come.”

A spokesman for WSCC said the development would be subject to a full planning application which will include consultation and give the opportunity for residents to make their representations.

The planning process will also consider if there will be any impact on the town centre, but the spokesman pointed out how the proposed retailers are not usually found in high street locations, while Broadbridge Heath is already an existing out of town retail destination.

The spokesman added: “The viability of the scheme has been assessed and will be checked at key stages of the development to ensure risks are mitigated. The scheme is based on securing pre-lets with the preferred retailers before any construction is started. The planning process will determine the level of contribution to local infrastructure from the development.”

The West Sussex Clinical Commissioning Group is responsible for planning and commissioning health care services in the area, while Horsham District Council is the local planning authority.