Henfield Parish Council and local residents are asking developers to remove a 2.4m high hoarding that has been erected along the northerly edge of the former Sandgate Nurseries in West End Lane. The barrier was erected by contractors working for Stonegate Homes Ltd and Littleworth Properties Ltd on 16 January, on the verge maintained by West Sussex County Council Highways Department.
Stonegate Homes and Littleworth Properties have sought planning permission for development of the land for housing but their applications were rejected and a subsequent appeal dismissed in December 2016. These same developers took the Henfield Neighbourhood Plan to Judicial Review in October 2016 and were successful in quashing the plan, which had been supported by 94% of Henfield residents.
The developers were issued with an Enforcement Notice from Horsham District Council on 19 January due to the structure having no planning permission and being over 1.2m in height. West Sussex Highways confirmed that no licence had been issued for the work, and that the hoarding needed to be re-erected behind the tree-line, leaving the verge free.
To date, Stonegate Homes and Littleworth Properties have not complied with this Enforcement Notice. The site was revisited on 17 February by Horsham District Council’s Compliance Officer who was concerned to find the hoarding still in place, but with additional spray-painted red “Danger – Keep Out” warnings along the length.
Local resident and neighbour Elaine Scott voiced her concerns. “The hoarding is not only a complete eyesore in an otherwise beautiful rural location, it has made the lane very unsafe for pedestrians. West End Lane is already narrow, single track in parts, with no pavement. Children walking to the school bus stop need the safety of the verges as a refuge when cars and tractors are passing. Dog-walkers, horse riders and runners frequently use the lane. This hoarding has made it virtually impassable by two cars, endangering those using it. It’s also right opposite the entrance to the Barratt’s Homes development, so large lorries are turning here all the time. We need this barrier removed before a serious accident happens.”
Henfield Parish Council chairman Ray Osgood said; “We’ve had a large number of complaints by local residents about the unsightliness and danger caused by this hoarding and we have concerns over the actions of Stonegate Homes and Littleworth Properties, who are disregarding the views of local people as well as enforcement notices from Horsham District Council. At the request of Montagu Evans (Chartered Surveyors working on behalf of these developers) myself and colleagues met to discuss issues with their representative, Will Edmonds. Mr. Edmonds assured me that the developers wish to work with the local community and would like the site to be considered afresh ‘for the mutual benefit of all’. If this is the case, their blatant disregard for local safety with this unpleasant eyesore does not bode well for future cooperation.”
We asked Montagu Evans for a statement. On behalf of Stonegate Homes Ltd they responded; “Although the land may have been informally used by the local community, it is privately owned and does not have any public rights of way over it. We have been advised by our insurers that the site represents a health and safety risk and for this reason we have had to erect the hoarding to prevent unlawful public access. We have secured the relevant licence from the Highways Authority to erect the hoarding. We are aware of the need for planning permission and a retrospective application will be lodged with the Council shortly.”
Ray Osgood continued; “Contrary to the statement issued by Stonegate Homes Ltd, Henfield Parish Council has been advised by West Sussex County Council that this case has been passed to their street works team to request the hoarding be removed.”
Emma Osman
Photographs © bn5magazine.co.uk
L to R: Elaine Scott, local resident; Ray Osgood, Chairman Henfield Parish Council; Nigel Stevens, Henfield Parish Councillor.
