Calls to preserve land rejected
Calls to preserve a patch of land in Horsham as a village green have been rejected by West Sussex County Council.
An application to have the land in Collingwood Road classified as a village green was turned down during a meeting of the council’s planning and rights of way committee on March 19.
Residentsstartedtheirfightto protecttheland–whichisclassed asadoptedhighway–fromdevelopment in 2022 when it was put up for sale.
Overtheyearsithasbeenused for exercise, sporting activities, birthday parties, community events such as ‘clap for carers’ duringthefirstcovidlock-down, community celebrations for VE Dayandthelatequeen’sjubilees, and seasonal activities such as carol singing.
Felicity Harrington, who put in the application, told the committee:“ourchildrenhaveplayed onthatgreen.wewouldlikechildren always to be able to play on that green because the housing round there is primarily family housing.
“We really, really need open spaces where children can play.”
She raised concerns that the new owner, who bought the land in May 2023 not only planned to build on it but also wanted to put up fencing to stop people getting on to the grass.
Officers said the owner had been told she was not allowed to put up fencing as the site was highway land. And if she still has plans to develop it, another planningapplicationwouldneedtobe submitted.
A statement from the Horsham Society said: “Collingwood Road Green is a clear example of a green that should be and needs to be registered.
“Thelandinquestionwaslaid outasagreenwhenthesurrounding housing was built and was intended for public use, recreation and enjoyment.
“It has been used in this way ever since and is a much loved publicamenityspacewhichmust be protected for future generations.”
Chairman Richard Burrett (Con, Pound Hill) said it would be a ‘travesty’ if the land was developed.
But officers said it failed the legal test to determine if it could be registered as a village green, partly because it was highway land and partly because the use of the land ‘as of right’ for lawful sportsandpastimeshadnotbeen proven.