KRGA Newsletter
As you may be aware, a lot has happened over the last few weeks! Initially, Jonathan Chowen, the principle advocate for building on Rookwood, resigned from the Cabinet, and then Ray Dawe resigned as Council Leader too. The upshot is that Horsham District now has a new Cabinet and a new Leader, Paul Clarke. New to the Cabinet is Roger Noel who has taken on the Leisure and Culture portfolio, which includes the Rookwood site.
It's too early to know how the new Cabinet will approach Rookwood, but new brooms bring hope of a different approach. It's important that we continue to lobby the new Cabinet so that they know we still care deeply about Rookwood and don't want the site to be developed as proposed. If you're short on new things to say, why not re-send an earlier email to confirm that you still feel the same way?
To make things as straightforward as possible, we've updated our "cut and paste" Cabinet email address list here: https://www.keeprookwoodgreen.org/howtorespond.
Our Complaint to Horsham District Council
We are very concerned about how the HDC Cabinet came to include Rookwood in its Local Plan and have submitted a detailed formal complaint to HDC for the attention of the Overview and Scrutiny and the Standards sub-committees. We believe that the Cabinet has acted contrary to requirements of the Council's Constitution, and that in particular the Cabinet:
Has committed a total of over £308k from “Place Directorate” budgets for the single purpose of “preparing and supporting the Council’s Rookwood asset as a strategic site in the Local Plan process”, without first raising a Key Decision as required by the Council constitution.
Did not register a Key Decision before including the Council’s Rookwood asset as a Strategic Site in the Regulation 18 2020 Local Plan consultation.
Is proposing to financially mismanage a Council asset by disposing of it without securing full value for the taxpayer.
Has compromised the Strategic Planning team and process by failing to provide, as developer, clear evidence that Rookwood is “deliverable” in the Local Plan period as defined in the NPPF.
In addition, we feel that the Cabinet, which ran the Rookwood project in secret from 2016 to 2020, has operated contrary to the Nolan Principles for Public Life and to a specific requirement of the 2011 Localisation Act. Our complaint was acknowledged on 2nd June 2021 and we await the Committee's responses.
Asset of Community Value
We are delighted that the application for Rookwood to be listed as an Asset of Community Value, submitted by the Horsham Society on our behalf, has been accepted. It is a clear recognition of the importance of the site. This is something that HDC and its councillors need to take account of when making their decision about what is to be included in the Local Plan. However, the registration of the site does not safeguard its future and therefore we all need to continue to work hard to make our Councillors take notice that Rookwood is an asset of huge value, not just to golfers but to town residents too.
We were able to draw together a great deal of evidence to support the application. This included the findings from our survey which has been completed by over 1600 town residents in which they described the value of Rookwood to them and many letters to WSCT. Thank you if you contributed to this all important bank of evidence which has proven Rookwood furthers the social wellbeing and social interests of the local community. The official decision notice states that in particular it serves as a hub for golfers and others in the community. The decision notice also recognised that there would be community use of Rookwood over the next five years furthering the social interests and wellbeing of the community.
Recording the trees at Rookwood and Boldings Brook
We know there are many wonderful trees at Rookwood and Boldings Brook that are not yet on the Woodland Trust's Ancient Tree Inventory and so are being ignored by planners. Look at the big blank space that is Rookwood below!
The trees at Rookwood all support wildlife as well as being a lovely part of the landscape. The Sussex Biodiversity Record is linked to the Ancient Tree Inventory which in turn is used by the Wilder Horsham District initiative for planning and protection purposes. All of this contributes to the wrong impression that Rookwood is a sterile golf course. Which of course we all know is not true!
We want to put the record straight and are seeking volunteers to help us map the trees. Training will be provided (approx. 1.5 hours). We will then divide up the area into different sections and volunteers in teams of 3 will then measure, photograph and record the veteran and notable trees in an area. It takes about 10 minutes to record a tree once you know what to do. This is a great way to support the campaign to save Rookwood without it being a major commitment of your time. If you would like to help, please let us know by sending an email to krg@keeprookwoodgreen.org.
Rookwood Wildlife
There were two exciting records for the Rookwood site during this spring. First was a lovely record of the wonderfully named Goldilocks Buttercup. An odd member of the Ranunculus family as it has a rather unusual structure to its flower head. Its petals are often odd shapes and number from none up to five it also has “very variable” leaves. It is quite a tall plant and is often associated with deciduous woodland and has been noted as an indicator of old – maybe not ancient – woodland.
The other notable record is of a Nightingale. Although it has been regularly singing from the west side of the Tanbridge school roundabout it has been heard in the low bushes on the eastern side – yes, technically in Rookwood. Other summer visiting warblers that are regulars across Rookwood include Common Whitethroat and Blackcap. And do listen out for the Garden Warbler – we’re sure there is one somewhere on the site!
It is records such as these that, as well as being fascinating, will show how significant the site is for not only these “one-offs” but for the area’s overall biodiversity. If you encounter any interesting plants or animals, please record them, and let us and others know as it will further increase the status of the area for our wildlife.
Golf Update
Rookwood reopened to golfers on the 29th March and despite the inclement weather in April/May has been busier than ever. This resurgence in golf has been widely reported in the press and appears to be nationwide with one report noting that "Council owned golf clubs have struggled for years but the current demand to play golf is so strong that various plans to close courses have been abandoned”.
Confirming this upsurge the manager of a council owned course is quoted as saying ‘in all our years of managing the golf course we have never witnessed such a demand for golf as there has been in the last 12 months”. So much for golf being in decline which is the message HDC have been portraying. Time they got up to date. The warmer weather has helped bring out the best in Rookwood, not only in terms of the golf course which is in excellent condition but also the adjacent foliage and the splendid array of mature trees which can now be seen in all their glory.
It is good to see this enjoyed by not only the golfers but also the dog walkers, cyclists and others continuing to make use of the footpaths and bridleways adjacent to the course. The golfers along with all other interested parties await a decision on whether, as we hope, Rookwood will be removed from the Local Plan. However even if this comes about we recognise this will not guarantee it’s future as a golf course. It’s designation as an Asset of Community Value whilst a step in the right direction is also not a guarantee of it’s ongoing existence and what we advocate is a long term plan underpinned by a long term lease that will allow the golf course operator to invest in and enhance this wonderful facility for the benefit of all the residents of Horsham.
To keep up to date with our campaign emails and updates please sign up here, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Best wishes, the Keep Rookwood Green Team