Doubts from the inconsistencies

I note with interest your issue of February 4 includes an item in which councillor Chowen recommends current proposals for the Rookwood site.

He claims these would provide an ‘umbrella of protected wildlife sites and open space’ around Horsham.

Your same issue notes that the Liberal Democrat group on the council advocate revision of the local plan which would exclude Rookwood, while still providing the current requirement for an additional 1,200 homes per year. This seems preferable, even if the basis on which councillor Chowen’s assertions were sound. They are not.

He maintains that the loss of the golf course could be compensated by the availability of others within 15 minutes drive. This contradicts the National Planning Policy Framework which is available through the council’s website. This states ‘existing open space, sports and recreational buildings and land should not be built on’ unless ‘development would be replaced by equivalent or better provision.’

In the case of Rookwood the alternatives would certainly not be replacements. Even if they were one doubts whether they would be better.

The council provide a pretty 3D simulation depicting an aerial view looking south of Warnham Road. It is difficult to obtain from the council more detailed information, but I hope persistence may yet reveal something which provides a map of the proposals described in glowing terms.

Delving into the depths of the council’s website reveals a 174-page document commissioned by them published during 2020.

This ‘Landscape Capacity Assessment’ determined Rookwood had ‘very limited capacity for housing development in this area, but this should not result in adverse impact on the green landscape setting of the town’.

It goes on to say ‘large scale development could result in unacceptable adverse landscape impacts and damage to the landscape value’.

I note that the image now provided of the site indicates what looks like numerous three story blocks providing 700 homes– these are hardly likely to enhance the landscape. Perhaps councillor Chowen is not familiar with the council’s own detailed assessment of the site?

There are passing references in various statements to a new primary school and car parking on the north side of Warnham Road. The scant detail provided causes one to wonder whether new vehicular access at several points from the A24 and Warnham Road; having to cross Warnham Road (particularly during rush hour); and locating it near the proposed new incinerator, present greater hazards than the attendant potential benefits?

Another strategic document published by the council which appears to contradict the acceptability of the Rookwood proposal is the ‘Green Space Strategy, 2013 2023’. The preliminary pages assert proudly ‘parks produce pounds’. It continues (in boldface type) – ‘parks and green space can retain and attract business investment, encourage customers to visit, engender a sense of employee well-being, attract tourists and positively affect house prices. It is therefore no surprise that green spaces form a vital element of regeneration strategies’.

Bravo! But now we are being persuaded that the reduction of green space at Rookwood, will help create ‘an umbrella of protected wildlife sites and open space’ around Horsham. How curious. #All these inconsistencies do tend to make one doubt the veracity of the assertions we are now being asked to accept. PROFESSORIANMCLAREN Kingfisher Way,

Horsham