Press Release

Keep Rookwood Green Alliance (KRGA) held a well-received zoom meeting for local residents on 8 December.  The evening started with a powerful film, by Amanda Ward, “Through the eye of a child” about what will be lost if Rookwood is developed.  A well researched, 40-minute presentation followed providing the context for the Local Plan, the threat to Rookwood, the impact on biodiversity and concern for the wellbeing of local residents.  The lack of consistency between HDC policies and the proposal to develop Rookwood was also laid bare.

The meeting closed with a challenge to the Councill to:

• act fairly in allocating sites, avoiding the bias to develop in the congested North

• be transparent about their plans

• involve locals in deciding how to use the Rookwood site to address the modern challenges of housing, biodiversity loss, climate change and the physical and mental wellbeing of Horsham town’s residents.

Since the meeting, HDC have released a third proposal stating that 800 homes will still be built on the southern land and that also provides idealised images of the land north of Warnham Road.

It is important to recognise that nothing in these plans is binding on HDC and that their history of secrecy and lack of real involvement with local groups has destroyed the trust that should exist between residents and their elected Councillors. The new proposal can be revised by HDC at any point in the future so how can we trust what they say?

The new proposal raises serious concerns:

• A primary school will be provided but is not clear where it will be located. Is this destined for the north but not shown in the images? In any case HDC cannot guarantee that a school will be provided, this is decided by West Sussex County Council.

• HDC have intimated that Rookwood could host a traveller site. Is this destined for the north but not shown in the images?

• The idealised images of the north show substantial trees that in reality will be felled to construct the proposed large Warnham Road roundabout.

• The proposal states: “[housing will be] primarily focussed [sic] to the south of the Warnham Road.” So what housing is being built in the north? The idealised images don’t show any housing - why is this?

• The number of houses remains the same as proposal 2, which means that HDC still intend to build on Fairway 15 and to damage the green corridor between Boldings Brook, the Riverside Walk and the Red River.

• Previously, HDC have insisted that there will be “employment” of some form in the north. This doesn’t appear in the idealised images so where will it go?

Given the substantial uncertainties that remain we are not confident that Warnham Nature Reserve will be well protected as HDC claims.

KRGA think the third proposal, with its expensive glossy images is primarily window dressing to lull the public into a false sense of security enabling a watered down and much less attractive development once the site is accepted as part of the Local Plan.

Over 75 people attended the zoom meeting, sharing their concerns, frustrations and anger with Councillors.  One participant pointed out that Rookwood really belongs to Horsham residents and is just owned and managed by HDC on their behalf. They also called for Councillors to account for how their decisions on Rookwood are morally, ethically and legally defensible given that this is a much loved and well used recreational space that was purchased on behalf of residents with residents’ money.

Several participants recommended that a socially distanced demonstration be organised so that Councillors understand the depth of feeling and anger in the Town.  A snap poll showed that 79% thought this a good idea with just a few people unsure.

Many questions were asked about the silence of Jeremy Quin with regard to Rookwood as well as the reluctance of the Council to respond to Freedom of Information requests.  Philip Ayerst described his experience of having many FOI requests rejected.

Sally Sanderson said: ‘We were delighted to see such strong support.  Throughout the campaign this has been evident: Thousands of people signing petitions, participating in surveys, attending the Bio Blitz, recording Wildlife and commenting on social media, but tonight the level of conviction that this is wrong for Horsham peaked.’

Tim Thomas highlighted the progress made on gathering information on wildlife at Rookwood which now makes the Council’s 10% bio diversity net gain questionable. Morag Warrack spoke on behalf of local residents and showed shocking images of the impact on the natural setting of Boldings Brook and the Riverside Walk if Fairway 15 is developed.

Peter Simpson said: ‘Once again the KRGA demonstrated the value of the Alliance.  We are non-political, coming from different community groups in Horsham and have a wide range of expertise and interest in Rookwood.  We know what will be lost since Rookwood represents 33% of the large accessible green space in Horsham Town whereas many of the Councillors making the decision appear quite unfamiliar with the site.'