Why Protect Rookwood?

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Protecting our Amenities

Green space is essential for good physical and mental health - It’s simple, more green space is better!

This is especially important during and after the Covid-19 pandemic, when the need for space to walk and exercise has become so valuable.

  • “Parks and green spaces enable people to connect with nature, which in turn brings benefits in terms of wellbeing.” - Space To Thrive Report 2019

  • “Good quality natural landscape in urban areas can affect how people feel. It reduces stress and sadness, lifts the mood and makes us feel better” - Public Health - UK Government

  • Rookwood Golf Course has been busier than ever, despite lockdowns. It remains a vital public course, fully accessible. There is no evidence that the golf course is surplus to requirements. Horsham District Council have failed to present a Sport, Open Space and Recreation Assessment.

  • Sport England, in the Active Environments page of “Uniting the Movement” record that huge amounts of sport and physical activity takes place, or could do, at these kinds of community spaces.

Building on Rookwood reduces amenities. It is inconsistent with HDC’s own policies.

  • “We will provide culture, sports and leisure opportunities to improve the health and wellbeing of our communities.” - Horsham District Council Corporate Plan 2019-23 section 1

  • “Horsham District is fortunate to have such a high quality natural environment. Warnings from scientists on the challenges facing our planet should not be underestimated and caring for it has never been as important.” - Horsham District Council Corporate Plan 2019-23 section 4

  • “Grey infrastructure allows us to live in villages, towns and cities. Green infrastructure allows us to live on planet earth.” - Horsham District Council Green Space Strategy page 4

  • In Wilder Horsham, HDC commit to provide support and funding for existing and new organisations and communities to enhance wildlife and provide opportunities for more residents to access the natural environment.

  • Communities across the Horsham District are part of the solution to reversing the decline in wildlife…linking their local green spaces to building networks for wildlife.

  • Sport England has a statutory duty to ensure that sports facilities are only removed if they are surplus to requirements. It is HDC’s duty to show that this is the case.