As we countdown to the key Planning Meeting at Horsham District Council, HDC has been collecting its internal consultation.
The Conservation Officer’s report is clear in its objection to the proposed development: “…the proposal to develop the glebe land is strongly resisted; the open land is considered to preserve the positive characteristics of the immediate locality, allowing the interpretation and understanding of sense of place and of the evolution of the historic context. The glebe land and its close association with the grade II* listed Parish Church of Saint Mary can easily be appreciated with good intervisibility between the application site and the Church which is situated on raised ground to the south-east. ”
The internal objection has also been mirrored in the Landscape Officer consultation which is also critical of the development stating: “From a landscape point of view, it is thought that the Glebe field should retain its open setting and development should be resisted. The proposal of 24 dwellings and doctors surgery will have an adverse effect on the landscape character and appearance of the area, particularly when appreciated from the public footpaths 2656 running east to west along the southern boundary and 2657 which go across the site north to south. Development of the site will also have an adverse effect on the appreciation of and views towards the South Downs escarpment and, in some locations, the complete loss of the view. The escarpment is considered a backdrop of value that contributes to the sense of place.”
We believe it will be wrong of the HDC Planning Committee to go against the advice of its own expert officers.
