MP formally objects to Adversane North Heath new town
Arundel & South Downs MP Nick Herbert has said that a new town of 4,000 houses between North Heath and Adversane would devastate the countryside and fail to deal with the lack of affordable housing in the villages.
Mr Herbert was commenting in a formal response to Horsham District Council's Core Strategy document which contains proposals to meet the Government's demand for 13,000 new houses in the district by 2026.
Mr Herbert said he was "wholly opposed" to the plans and that the area did not have the transport infrastructure, schools, health services and water supplies to support a new town of 10-12,000 people.
The MP also objected to plans for an expansion of Pulborough, saying that significant development should not proceed without the agreement of the Parish Council.
Mr Herbert said that he recognised the need for more homes, especially for young people who are finding it difficult to get a foot on the housing ladder, but that people would rather live within their existing network of family and friends in the villages than in a new town in the middle of the countryside.
Mr Herbert renewed his pledge that a Conservative government would scrap the regional housing targets and regional spatial strategies that are driving the house-building plans in West Sussex.
The proposal to build a new town on the greenfield site, most of which falls within the parish of West Chiltington, has been the focus of strong opposition from local residents, councillors and GPs since the Core Strategy document was published in September.
It has led to the formation of STAND - Stop The Adversane North Heath Development - who met with Mr Herbert last month and received his strong backing for their campaign.
Mr Herbert is scheduled to meet with Horsham District Council Chairman Robert Nye and Chief Executive Tom Crowley early next month to relay the concerns of local residents about the Core Strategy proposals.
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Notes for Editors
1. For a copy of Nick Herbert's submission to the Core Strategy consultation, visit http://www.nickherbert.com/media_centre.php/325/Core%20Strategy%20for%20Horsham%20District
2. Last week (Monday 26 October), more than 200 people attended a public meeting at West Chiltington Village Hall to question officers and councillors from Horsham District Council about the Core Strategy proposals. Mr Herbert was unable attend due to his parliamentary responsibilities but sent a strong message of support that was read out at the meeting. For the full text of Nick Herbert's message of support, visit [link to follow].
3. For more information on Horsham District Council's Local Development Framework (LDF) and Core Strategy, visit http://www.horshamdistrictldf.info/.
4. For more information on the campaign against the new town at North Heath and Adversane, visit http://www.saveourcountryside.com/.