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Local leaders representing Henfield have united in their opposition to unsustainably large-scale housing development proposed for the village.
They have called on Horsham District Council to;
Issue an immediate clear statement of opposition to Taylor Wimpey, making clear to developers that permission will not be granted, and any appeal will be fought all the way, just as for the Croudace application.
To produce a sound Local District Plan developing the housing that we need on brownfield, urban or better connected sites elsewhere within the district to protect rural areas and farmland from development;
and to work with other authorities and statutory consultees to bring forward better alternatives such as the brownfield Shoreham Cement works site and sites within Brighton & Hove rather than export their housing shortfall to Henfield.
This is supported by a petition signed by more than 500 residents.
Andrew Griffith MP has submitted a letter to the Horsham District Council Leader Martin Boffey, co-signed by all tiers of local government – County Council, District Council and Parish Council – calling for firm action to be taken against over development. Councillor Josh Potts (Henfield, HDC), Councillor Sarah Payne (Henfield, WSCC), and Cllr Elaine Goodyear (Chair, Henfield Parish Council) all signed the letter.
Taylor Wimpey is seeking to build up to 800 houses on land outside of the boundary of Henfield. The allocation is not in the Henfield Neighbourhood Plan which has already allowed for 235 houses in the northern section of the village. Croudace have also been seeking permission to build 191 houses on land next to the Taylor Wimpey site. This application was rejected by Horsham District Council but has been taken to Appeal with the planning inspector.
Andrew Griffith has previously shared his concern that rural parts of West Sussex are having to make up for the failure to build in London, Brighton and other urban areas, presenting statistics which show West Sussex building at more than eight times the rate elsewhere.
Andrew Griffith said: “Horsham District Council must listen to the people of Henfield and their local leaders who are united in opposing this unsustainable over-development. The council must do their duty and get on with producing a ‘sound’ Local Plan based on housing in urban areas and those with the proper infrastructure to cope.”