Plans to build 244 homes on part of the former Novartis site have been approved by Horsham District Council.
The application, from Muse Places, forms phase 3 of a wider development for the site on Parsonage Road, with phases 1 and 2 being considered under a separate planning application, from the Lovell Partnership, for 206 units.
Phase 3 was given the nod by the council’s planning committee on Tuesday (October 21).
The development will be made up of 102 houses and 142 flats in seven blocks up to four storeys high. Twelve of the homes will be wheelchair accessible.
There will be vehicle and pedestrian access onto Parsonage Road and a ‘woodland walk’ running around the perimeter of the site.
The council received 44 letters of objection and 30 supporting the application.
Concerns raised included traffic and parking issues – though the scheme includes 328 spaces – the impact on the Conservation Area, and over-development of the site.
A spokesman for the Wimblehurst Road Residents’ Association supported the site being developed – but not what was proposed. She warned that the traffic from so many homes would have ‘a substantial impact’ on roads in the area.
When it came to improving pedestrian and cycle links, some objectors said a bridge across the railway line was needed to allow people a quick route to Horsham Station.
One speaker told the meeting that, without such a link, the development would be ‘a miserable place to live’.
The intention to class all the homes in the development as affordable went down well with supporters.
Others said the development would be good use of the land, liked the amount of open space included, and said attracting people to the area would be good for local businesses.
The application was approved by 11 votes to zero with two abstentions. To view the plans in full, log on to public-access.horsham.gov.uk and search for DC/25/0415.
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