Surprise surprise from North of Horsham
The January newsletter from the ‘Land North of Horsham’ was issued on January 17. This may come as a surprise to many as one may ask just how common knowledge this Legal and General publication is, and therefore the news it contains? Legal and General plan to fully close the A264, both eastbound and westbound, from Rusper Road roundabout to Moorhead roundabout between the hours of 8pm Friday evening to 6am Monday morning. This will be over five weekends between February 18 and Monday, March 21. During these times, traffic will be diverted along Harwood Road, over the railway bridge by Horsham Station, along North Street to the traffic lights then into Albion Way and the Bishopric along the A281 Guildford Road to link back up with the A24.
There is no news when the direct vehicular route across the A264, northwards from Littlehaven to Rusper will be reopened. In the meantime, all road users are encouraged to follow the diversion routes.
Apologies have been offered for the inconvenience caused, but these road closures were never in the original submission. So, who was consulted and who has given approval for these proposals, with its high risk for traffic disruption to residents, commuters and emergency services?
Another surprise within the newsletter is the welcome to ‘Mowbray Village’ as the new name for the North Horsham development. One questions as to who was consulted and who gave approval for this proposal? This name supposedly celebrates Horsham’s history, but how detailed was the research leading to the choice of name? Mowbray was responsible for suppressing the Saxons and recognised as henchman for the Norman invaders. Should he be celebrated?
Another surprise is that the new pedestrian and cycle bridge will now be opened for the Bohunt School’s Summer Term, not as planned for the school’s opening, originally September and then this January.
Overall, there seems to be too many surprises inflicted on the local residents and commuters. They cannot all be put down to the Covid restrictions, or the relatively new requirement for water neutrality.
One may ask what more surprises will be made public for the existing residents to endure in the name of achieving the government homes building targets?
The legislation does seem to be stacked against local residents and favour the developers when outline planning permission is given approval. This outline approval is a two-stage process where reserved matters applications follow. This allows important elements to be watered down to be less than what had been agreed e.g. reduction in electric vehicle charging points. The outline permission once granted leaves the hands of the local authorities, who are elected to represent the residents, with their hands hopelessly tied.
There is a clear necessity for local people to have access to information to allow them to participate in the planning process. This surely far outweighs maintaining the rights of business.
What surprise next?