Why Protect Rookwood?

Who Decides & Who Benefits?

The Rookwood land was purchased on behalf of Horsham residents by Horsham District Council for “public use” in 1986. As a consequence, proposing to develop Rookwood makes the council:

  • The developer who is proposing to build on Rookwood

  • The planning authority that assesses the proposal and advises Councillors

  • The political decision maker that determines whether the site will remain in the Local Plan

  • The financial beneficiary of the sale of the land

The land was purchased on the understanding that it would be used as public open space for the people of Horsham and the purchase price reflected its intended future use.

However, the legal agreement contains a covenant that expires in 2066, requiring that 50% of the land sale value be returned to the original owners, if HDC grants planning permission for housing development and sells the land.

Horsham District Council is again acting on behalf of residents but will only receive half the land value and, in addition, Horsham residents will have less green space.

What is the rush to realise the capital value of this asset when residents will only benefit from half its value?

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