Tough decisions over local plan

How lucky we have been with the bank holiday weather for enjoying Horsham’s green spaces.

During lockdown we have all learned the true value of having these on our doorstep– for exercise and mental wellbeing.

The glorious spring has made walking, exercising, exploring and now sitting in our park and green spaces a real treat.

How many of our councillors are dependent on easy and close access to green space?

How many live in flats or in homes with tiny gardens? Without cars? How many truly understand why easily accessible green space is so important to the town’s residents?

Councillors will be facing very tough decisions over the next few months in relation to the local plan.

I wouldn’t want to be in their shoes so as the councillors from the south of the district make their choices, I invite them to step into the shoes of Horsham Town residents and pause to think hard what it might be like to live here.

HDC is under huge pressure to find land for housing but is their approach really sustainable for the long term?

We may have transport links here but anyone living in the town knows that the infrastructure is at breaking point, for example our roads, surgeries and schools.

Our green spaces are also very busy. I walked last weekend at Chesworth Farm and there were so many people enjoying the lovely area that social distancing at times was quiet a challenge.

Soon we are going to have to recognise that there isn’t enough open space left for us – let alone wildlife.

If we continue encroaching on the green space in the town, Horsham will lose its distinctive character and attractiveness to residents, visitors and even businesses. We will have destroyed what makes Horsham special.

We need to retain all our green lungs in the middle of urban settings – that’s the challenge for our generation before they disappear forever.

In 50 years’ time, if growth in the south of England continues at the same pace –we will be hemmed in all around by housing and the settlements in the north of the district will have coalesced.

Much of the wildlife we enjoy will have disappeared. That means to enjoy a bank holiday, instead of walking to a nearby natural haven, many of us will be forced to travel to find quiet green spaces for relaxation and connecting with nature.

That won’t help with climate change.

SALLY SANDERSON

Chairman, Friends of Horsham Park, Parkside Mews, Horsham