Campaigners have questioned the financial viability of plans to build up to 3,000 homes West of Ifield.
Members of Save West of Ifield spoke during the ongoing hearing which forms part of the examination of Horsham District Council’s Local Plan.
Fenella Maitland-Smith and Cathy Durrant, who have championed the campaign since before the pandemic, laid out concerns including the impact the development would have on Crawley’s roads, whether the area’s sewage system could cope, and whether the viability assessment of the site needed to be looked at again.
West of Ifield was one of the original sites allocated for development in the Local Plan. This year, as part of the required modifications to the Plan, sites such as 3,200 homes at Adversane, have been added.
Ms Maitland-Smith highlighted ‘enormous revisions’ in the assessment results between the earlier and later sites which she said ‘casts serious doubts, in our minds, on the usefulness of the viability assessments’.
She shared concerns that the gross development value of the West of Ifield site was being overstated, while the amount of contributions needed from developers for infrastructure was being understated.
And she added that residents were concerned that corners would be cut and commitments not seen through.
Paul Tucker KC, representing Homes England, said West of Ifield was ‘a very different category of development’ to others, given that it was being ‘pump-primed’ – financially kick-started – according to a business plan being approved by The Treasury.
Speaking after the meeting, Ms Durrant said: “We believe that Horsham District Council should be asking for a full site-specific financial viability assessment.
“Throughout this process we have been told ‘the government is funding West of Ifield and they have deep pockets’. We are being asked to take on trust that the government will fund all shortfalls.
“We believe that taxpayers have a right to know the full amount being spent on the West of Ifield development.”
While the Local Plan only includes up to 3,000 homes West of Ifield, Homes England announced in 2019 that the aim was to build 10,000 homes over the next 30 years.
Addressing the suggestion that the Local Plan allocation was ‘a foot in the door’ to see that aim through, Mr Tucker said that was not what was being ‘promoted’ at the moment.
He added that what happened in the future was ‘a matter for future examinations to consider’.
BREAKING NEWS ACROSS THE SOUTH
Don't miss the stories that matter to you! Get BREAKING NEWS ALERTS sent STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE. Download the FREE V2 RADIO APP today! Seen something? Know something? Got a story we should be covering? BE OUR EYES AND EARS. Email news tips, images and video to news@v2radio.co.uk
HALF PRICE. BIG SAVINGS. DON'T MISS OUT!
STOP PAYING FULL PRICE! Get 50% OFF restaurants, days out, attractions and unforgettable experiences across the SOUTH. GRAB YOUR DEALS NOW at WWW.V2VOUCHERS.CO.UK
Aldwick man admits murdering his 84-year-old wife at their home
Criminal case against Sussex Police officer accused of sexual assault discontinued
Horsham Neighbourhood Watch volunteer wins national award for helping keep communities safe
Chichester graduates celebrate five-star reviews at Edinburgh Fringe for children's show tackling miscarriage
National leaders gather in Southampton for three-day conference on the future of UK towns and cities
Chichester MP condemns racist and homophobic abuse experienced by theatre cast as university speaks out
Residents asked for views on plans to tackle traffic congestion and improve bus journeys in Durrington
Police appeal to identify man and woman following parcel theft in Southampton
Met Office issues yellow wind warning for Sussex, Hampshire and Isle of Wight with gusts potentially exceeding 70mph
32 Shops in Portsmouth suspected of having links to organised crime
