‘Ugly’ town centre apartments rejected on Horsham office block site

Members of Horsham District Council’s Development Control Committee queued up to criticise the scheme’s design, while many felt it was simply overdevelopment.

Linden House, in Chart Way, was vacated by Royal Sun Alliance in March 2007 and has remained empty since.

Frances Haigh (LDem, Horsham Park) said the proposal resembled a university hall of residence, while David Holmes (LDem, Horsham Park) thought the building would be a ‘blight’ on the town centre.

Dr Holmes added: “This building is vast and to my mind it is ugly. If approved the people of Horsham would regret it, it would be a blight, a carbuncle on the town.”

Residents of Madeira Avenue complained of the overbearing nature of the scheme on existing residential properties.

Other concerns including inadquate parking and safety concerns over access from Albion Way.

Christian Mitchelll (Con, Holbrook West) added: “It really is poor design and this council must do better.”

David Sheldon (LDem, Denne) said it did not add to the character of the area, Godfrey Newman (LDem, Forest) called it uninspiring, Jim Rae (Con, Holbrook East) labelled it an ‘unattractive slab’, while Christine Costin (LDem, Trafalgar) thought it was ‘unsightly’ and ‘horrible’.

For a full report of the meeting see this Thursday’s County Times.