Queens Head pub will gain ‘new lease of life’

Plans to redevelop the site of a Horsham pub will give it a ‘new lease of life’, according to its owners.
JPCT 190814 S14340957x Horsham. Queen Street, New Street. Queen's Head -photo by Steve Cobb SUS-140819-150747001JPCT 190814 S14340957x Horsham. Queen Street, New Street. Queen's Head -photo by Steve Cobb SUS-140819-150747001
JPCT 190814 S14340957x Horsham. Queen Street, New Street. Queen's Head -photo by Steve Cobb SUS-140819-150747001

Brewer Hall and Woodhouse’s proposals for the Queens Head in Queen Street involve demolishing and replacing the rear extension, creating three new flats above the pub, as well as building four new homes in New Street.

Horsham District Council’s Development Control Committee had deferred the planning application in August to give it time to explore options to prevent the loss of ‘historic’ buildings in New Street, but on Tuesday November 3 councillors approved plans as they stood.

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Lynne Evans, speaking on behalf of Hall and Woodhouse, said: “The pub is severely limited in terms of its layout and facilities and this would transform it into a pub with a new lease of life which will appeal to many more in the community rather than a drink-led pub which it is at the moment.”

JPCT 190814 S14340967x Horsham. Queen Street, New Street. Queen's Head -photo by Steve Cobb SUS-140819-151042001JPCT 190814 S14340967x Horsham. Queen Street, New Street. Queen's Head -photo by Steve Cobb SUS-140819-151042001
JPCT 190814 S14340967x Horsham. Queen Street, New Street. Queen's Head -photo by Steve Cobb SUS-140819-151042001

She felt the changes would safeguard its future and added: “We believe the scheme that’s put before you is a well-balanced scheme.”

However members of the committee did continue to voice concerns over traffic, especially in New Street during the construction phase, and asked if conversations could take place with West Sussex County Council as the highways authority to come up with mitigation measures.

David Skipp (LDem, Horsham Park), leader of the Lib Dem group, felt that the Brighton Road and New Street junction would be ‘unmanageable at times’, and described being sad that Hall and Woodhouse were not prepared to talk directly with councillors about the possibility of incorporating the old bakery buildings in New Street into the scheme.

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Christine Costin (LDem, Trafalgar) added: “The problem at New Street is going to be very difficult indeed. It’s difficult now on a daily basis and I can’t imagine what it’s going to be like. I do not think the street is going to be workable.”

Since New Street is narrow at it southern end it was suggested that the road could be made one-way temporarily during the demolition and construction phase to improve traffic and pedestrian safety.

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