HDC’s January 2021 Proposal
HDC Proposal
At the end of 2020 HDC published a revised Rookwood proposal (Please note that HDC repeatedly stressed that the images are conceptual and that the final design could be different)
750 dwellings to be built on the land south of Warnham Road.
Fairway 15, adjacent to the Riverside Walk, used for flood mitigation instead of development.
The land north of the Warnham Road and south of the Walnut Tree Plantation to be developed as a school, car park, access road, roundabout and a new nature reserve visitor centre.
The remaining land to the north of Warnham Road to be used as a new country park and as an extension of Warnham Nature Reserve.
Our Reaction
We recognise that HDC has responded to the unprecedented public protest about Rookwood and have amended their proposal to address our concerns voiced in 2020, however, we think this latest proposal is still not the right plan for Rookwood.
A popular golf course will be lost along with its extensive green buffer for the Reserve. All provided at no cost to the taxpayer.
A public park will be costly but provides less protection to the Reserve than a golf course.
HDC haven’t proved that the golf course is surplus to requirement and Sport England might object.
HDC Do Have A Choice
It is clear that HDC is determined to build on Rookwood despite strong opposition from Horsham Town residents. When consulting with councillors on which combination of the nine strategic sites to put forward in the Local Plan, Rookwood was included in every scenario. HDC has now committed tax payers money in a website and PR campaign to promote the development, so it is clear that they are committed to this course and have no intention to heed the significant local objections to this project.
However, HDC do have a choice and can meet all housing targets without building at Rookwood. Why must this valuable Horsham Town green space be sacrificed when these 750 homes can be met from other sites?
Wilder Horsham District
Selling the land and our valuable natural capital now makes no sense for the taxpayer.
Half the proceeds will go to the Lucas Trust if sold before 2066. We think HDC will give away 20 million pounds…
It undermines the taxpayers’ investment in the Wilder Horsham District initiative.
Horsham Residents
There is no support in Horsham Town for the development.
Thousands of residents have signed petitions, completed surveys and written letters of objection.
The three Neighbourhood Councils object.
The organisations in the Keep Rookwood Green Alliance object.
Trust
HDC’s lack of transparency and presentation of idealised images alongside statements that they can’t confirm anything until a planning application is approved, have resulted in a serious breakdown in trust.
We are concerned that once the site is in the Local Plan, the promises will unravel.
The whole of Rookwood was purchased for ‘Public Use’, that promise will be broken if Rookwood is developed.
A key HDC argument is that Rookwood is an “under-performing asset” within the Leisure and Countryside portfolio. Under this argument Rookwood must be sold for its capital and annual council tax / rent revenue returns. However, if the argument is accepted, Chesworth Farm, Horsham Park and Leechpool Woods must alls be sold because this way HDC make more money.
HDC exists to serve district residents and is not a commercial business with assets that must be managed to return the largest profit.
The plan is not consistent with HDC’s own policies and initiatives for green spaces, including the Wilder Horsham District initiative, and not even with its Corporate Plan. The lack of transparency when promoting the development has resulted in a serious breakdown in trust.
We reject HDC’s fundamental assumption that all green space must provide the highest possible commercial return. Green spaces provide health and welfare benefits for residents, they are not “company assets“ that can be traded to make HDC richer!
We call on HDC to demonstrate that residents can trust their public park proposal by:
Binding themselves legally to ensure that both Warnham Nature Reserve and Rookwood will not be developed in future
Ringfencing finance for Rookwood’s upkeep in perpetuity
Similarly protecting other vulnerable green spaces in Horsham Town such as Horsham Park, Chesworth Farm and Leechpool Wood.
Welcome Changes
Fairway 15 between Red River and Boldings Brook will be used for flood mitigation and will no longer be used for bus access. Great for Horsham residents and for wildlife.
There will be no development north of Walnut Tree Plantation. Great – this is a highly sensitive ecological area.
But will a public park promised for this space adequately protect the Reserve?
How will its maintenance be financed when it is no longer looked after by the golf club?
How long before it is sold off for further housing?
Housing numbers are reduced from 1100 to 750 and confined to the Southern section. Good
The high rise development will still change the character of the landscape.
Will this just be a first phase? Will more houses be added on the northern section later?
A primary school is promised for the Northern section. Better than housing or business.
Is the right place for a school?
How will it impact the viability of Warnham’s school?
Will it be up to West Sussex County Council to decide this?
If WSCC chooses not to build a school will HDC revert to business or housing?
