Large green open spaces have different qualities to smaller, intra development, green spaces and are recognised by the British Medical Journal, Horsham District Council , the UK Government and the public as delivering significant recreational and health benefits. Their value is self-evident as now we are emerging from stringent Covid-19 lockdown.

On behalf of residents, Horsham District Council (HDC) owns several large green spaces, of between 24 and 42 hectares, within the parished and unparished areas of Horsham Town. These include Horsham Park, Warnham Local Nature Reserve, Rookwood Golf Course, Leechpool / Owlbeech Woods and Chesworth Farm, further detail is provided in below.

If Rookwood is developed as proposed, Horsham Town will lose 33% of its large green space.

It is our view that this loss is disproportionate to the gain and does not represent a good balance of HDC’s priorities for housing targets, community health and resident well-being.

Surely there is another way?

Horsham’s Large Green Spaces

The following large green spaces lie within the parished and unparished areas of Horsham Town.

Chesworth Farm - 36 hectares, 17% of total

Horsham Park - 24 hectares, 12% of total

Warnham Local Nature Reserve - 37 hectares, 18% of total

Leechpool and Owlbeech Woods - 42 hectares, 20% of total

Rookwood - 66 hectares, 33% of total