Latest news with #HorshamDistrictCouncil
BBC News
23-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Plan for 235 homes on edge of Henfield village gets green light
Plans to build up to 235 homes in a West Sussex village have been approved. But there is a chance the decision could be overturned, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS). The application by Welbeck Strategic Land to develop 31.5 hectares of land in Henfield was given the green light by Horsham District Council on 22 July. However, concerns about a high-pressure gas pipeline near part of the development on London Road led the Health & Safety Executive to advise against approval. The council now has to wait for 21 days to see if its decision will be referred to the government to decide. The site was initially allocated for 205 homes, though this was later upped. Potential issues have been raised about the proposed access to the planning committee also voted to remove the building heights from the outline application, which will be discussed in future applications should everything go as planned. The application was approved by 13 votes to one.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Planning proposal for 3G pitch fails
Plans to build an artificial 3G sports pitch in West Sussex have been rejected. The application for The Ghyll leisure centre in Southwater, which included fencing and floodlighting, was turned down by Horsham District Council's planning committee on Tuesday. Planning officers had recommended that the application be approved, but committee members disagreed, with one saying: "It would have a harmful impact on residents through noise and disturbance, as well as the loss of an informal sports area." Councillor Alex Jeffery told the meeting that the village would benefit from a 3G pitch but not at the expense of removing the only area Southwater could refer to as "a de facto village green". The council received more than 500 letters of objection citing fears over over-development, drainage, parking, the loss of space for dog walkers and community use, and the impact floodlighting would have on homes and wildlife. Southwater Football Club said: "There remains a desperate need for additional football pitches in Southwater and there appears to be a consensus that at least one should be an artificial pitch." Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Horsham Council The Ghyll
BBC News
03-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Southwater artificial pitch plans rejected
Plans to build an artificial 3G sports pitch in West Sussex have been application for The Ghyll leisure centre in Southwater, which included fencing and floodlighting, was turned down by Horsham District Council's planning committee on officers had recommended that the application be approved, but committee members disagreed, with one saying: "It would have a harmful impact on residents through noise and disturbance, as well as the loss of an informal sports area."Councillor Alex Jeffery told the meeting that the village would benefit from a 3G pitch but not at the expense of removing the only area Southwater could refer to as "a de facto village green". The council received more than 500 letters of objection citing fears over over-development, drainage, parking, the loss of space for dog walkers and community use, and the impact floodlighting would have on homes and Football Club said: "There remains a desperate need for additional football pitches in Southwater and there appears to be a consensus that at least one should be an artificial pitch."
BBC News
12-06-2025
- BBC News
Travellers ordered to leave Pulborough caravan site launch appeal
A family of travellers who turned a field in West Sussex into a caravan site have launched an appeal after being told they must Keet laid hardstanding and built waste tanks on land off Stall House Lane, near Pulborough, before installing caravans on 18 were called to intervene after clashes between the travellers and local residents, but no further action was District Council said it already has "a number" of existing traveller and gypsy sites, and that it had rejected retrospective planning from Mr Keets because of potential harm to the area and a nearby listed building. The land is jointly owned by Mr Keet, Tony Castle and William Hughes, and there are currently two static caravans and two touring caravans on moving onto the land, they sought retrospective planning permission for four static caravans and four touring the council has rejected the application "due to concerns that the extent of the development was harmful to the rural character of the countryside location and to the setting of an adjacent listed building".The authority then served an enforcement notice ordering the owners to remove the caravans and return the land to how it was before they moved in within six three landowners have appealed against the order, claiming the site is well screened and not visible from the road or other properties."You'd be chucking me and the kids on the side of the road in a caravan with a generator if I couldn't live here, same for my brother," said Mr Keet. Shortage of traveller sites Elizabeth Pleasant, from the planning inspectorate, heard from residents opposed to the development and council planning officers as well as the travellers, their agent and their Rudd, the barrister for the owners, said they had intentionally developed the land without permission, but said the law allows for retrospective applications and appeals."The impact from this development on the landscape is limited and can be reduced with planning conditions," he Rudd also said there was "significant need" for places for travellers to live.A review carried out for the council last year concluded that 80 pitches for travellers and gypsies should be provided over the next five years and 128 by Mr Castle said the council have "little interest" in finding sites for travellers and gypsies."We're trying to create homes for our community that the local authority is failing to do," he Hughes added: "It's down to us and it's hard to find a site that's not in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a flood zone or a protected area, and if we do find one, developers want it for housing and pay millions."The planning inspector will decide whether to uphold the appeal in about four weeks. The council accepted that there is a need for additional traveller sites, but said: "This application was refused due to concerns that the extent of the development was harmful to the rural character of the countryside location and to the setting an adjacent listed building, and therefore contrary to relevant planning policies.""The council reserves its position on any further planning enforcement action until after the planning inspector's decision is received on both appeals."
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Theatre refurbishment to commence next year
The planned refurbishment of a West Sussex theatre will commence next year after the project was rescoped to reduce costs. The Capitol Theatre in Horsham is 90 years old and was last refurbished in 2003. Early last year, Horsham District Council outlined plans to undertake a £10.7m renovation to increase seating capacity, replace its boilers, add more toilets and refurbish the foyer. These plans were revised last October due to predicted escalating costs after a contractor increased its estimate by 25%. With the project now rescoped to cut costs, the council has confirmed that the full refurbishment will commence in early January 2026. The venue will remain open aside from a closure of the main theatre auditorium between April and May to facilitate structural surveys and interim seating improvements. Essential roof repairs will also be carried out across the summer in advance of next year. It is expected that the venue will reopen in time for the 2026 pantomime season. The council's cabinet member for leisure and culture, David Skipp, said: "We are pleased that this phased approach to our refurbishment work will now enable the venue to be open throughout 2025 with an exciting entertainment programme for everyone to enjoy." Councillors will look to approve the plans at a cabinet meeting on 19 March. Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Curtain recall for £10m theatre refurbishment plan Public asked for views on theatre refurbishment Refurbishment plans outlined for town's theatre Horsham District Council The Capitol Horsham
