Build on unused open spaces

Letters in last week’s West Sussex County Times centred on the subject of housing development plans and the value of open spaces.

Clearly this is a difficult issue for a council to make decisions on, especially when they are under legal pressure to meet housing targets.

Hopefully in these unprecedented times we will pause and consider what is best for the people of Horsham and the surrounding area.

I am semi-retired and have been a member of Rookwood Golf Club for over ten years. It is such a valued outdoor amenity for members and visitors alike and is presently completely booked every day. Never has it been so busy!

Of course many people are currently either working from home, with a degree of flexibility, or are unable to work at all for the present.

Like so many nationwide, they are seeing the value of outdoor life and are likely to place more emphasis on it in the future.

Nobody can really predict how things will work out when we get through this pandemic but one thing is for sure and that is that people will reassess their lives and look to incorporate activities that offer both physical and mental wellbeing.

Of course a council has the responsibility to balance economic growth with providing the best quality of life for local people: but this is the time to ensure that the former does not lead to the serious loss of a much valued local facility.

I understand that official consultation over this ended earlier in the year but surely a council must take into consideration all that we have learnt from this pandemic and see the need to protect such a valued and much used local outdoor space for future generations.

Finally I would add that like many others I have taken the opportunity over the last few months to take daily walks in the countryside and have seen just how much open grassland exists in this area of West Sussex.

Surely if a large housing development must happen then it should be on an open space that is little used and benefits very few rather than a beautifully looked after and much used golf course that is also open to the public via designated footpaths.

JOHNPHILPOTT

The Drive , Ifold