Retail park isn’t best use of funds

On January 20, Tory-run West Sussex County Council approved plans for the building of a retail park, consisting of four units, in Broadbridge Heath, at a cost to the Council of £15.47 million.

A report in the West Sussex County Times (New retail park for Broadbridge Heath, January 14) confirmed that the four retail businesses identified as tenants for the units are a discount food store, a DIY store and garden centre, a drive-through takeaway and a coffee shop.

At least one of these businesses would duplicate services already available locally or nearby in Horsham’s shopping centre.

We note that at the meeting of the Performance and Finance Scrutiny Committee, only the leader of the Labour group and an Independent councillor objected to these plans.

At the same time as approving this costly new development, the council is shutting vital children and family centres in Horsham, Roffey, Southwater, Billingshurst and elsewhere across the county.

We therefore question whether this retail park is the best use of limited public funds?

We in Horsham Labour Party, recognise that best use must be made of WSCC surplus land and that there is a need to boost the economy and local employment in ways that are environmentally sustainable.

However, it seems to us that in making this decision, little consideration was given to the needs of Broadbridge Heath and other Horsham District residents, particularly those who are disadvantaged, and little regard has been given to the impact of the development on the businesses that already serve those residents.

Many of these businesses are already struggling to survive as a result of the economic fall out of the pandemic.

We are also concerned about the lack of consultation on this important local issue.

To give residents (and other stakeholders) an opportunity to comment on these plans we have launched a survey which can be accessed via the following link: https:// www.horsham-labour.org.uk/ legacy/campaigns/2021/01/22/ what-are-your-views-onthe-new-broadbridge-heathretail-park/

We look forward to receiving responses to our survey from as many of your readers as possible.

DONALD MAHON Chair of Horsham Labour party JOANNE KAVANAGH WSCC elections Labour candidate, Broadbridge Heath District DAVID HIDE Labour candidate, Horsham Riverside CAROL HAYTON Labour candidate, Horsham Hurst GERARD KAVANAGH Labour candidate, Horsham East RAY CHAPMAN Labour candidate, Holbrook Clarence Road, Horsham