Lack of crossing safety fears in Broadbridge Heath

During a Horsham District Council planning meeting Malcolm Curnock (LDem, Broadbridge Heath) expressed his disappointment that Countryside Properties had built a new roundabout near Newbridge Nurseries before a proposed pegasus crossing on the A264 bypass. A pegasus crossing has a special provision for horse riders.

The developer, which has outline planning permission for 963 homes south of the village, and full permission for part of the site, was supposed to have delivered the new crossing before the first property was occupied.

However, Mr Curnock told members the developer had prioritised the new link road over the pedestrian crossing.

He explained: “During the period they could have been delivering the infrastructure, they have managed to build out the main east/west link road, thus providing earliest possible access to show homes and occupation of completed dwellings, not only for themselves, but also David Wilson Homes and Bovis Homes.

“A clear case of putting shareholder’s interests ahead of local community interests.”

The actual application in front of the committee, which was to vary a condition on the provision of footpaths and cyclepath links, was approved.

A planning officer said it was ‘unfortunate’ the pegasus crossing had not been delivered but pointed to the huge demand in traffic management and road space, given the Crest Nicholson West of Bewbush development being built.

Mr Curnock added: “It’s unfortunate that the developer has decided the development of the roundabout should take preference over the delivery of the pegasus crossing.

“That was their choice. It’s to the detriment of the occupiers in the new dwellings.”

Tricia Youtan (Con, Slinfold, Itchingfield and Warnham) made a plea to protect wildlife in future applications.