Protesters step up campaign to halt 473 houses being built on Horsham farmland

Developers Fairfax want to build the houses on two fields at Newhouse Farm off Old Crawley Road and have now submitted a formal planning application to Horsham District Council.

But strong opposition is being put forward by people living nearby who say they are ‘horrified’ at the destruction of wildlife habitat that has been arable land for hundreds of years.

Protest ‘NO’ banners have now been erected in the area, ‘NO’ posters are being displayed by residents in the windows of their homes, and social media groups have been set up to voice concerns.

One of the objectors - Heather Playfoot - said: “Due to the lockdown, we’ve seen an increased number of people of all ages over the fields, and especially now the bluebells have poked through.

“It just shows us how important this space is for mental wellbeing and exercise.”

She added: “It would be heart-breaking to see these fields covered in houses, swapping the sounds of birds and wildlife with the noise of urban life.”

She said the area was “one of the last places in Horsham where you can see the sun setting.”

The fields - said to be a haven for wildlife including deer, owls, kites and buzzards - have two public rights of way across them. The area abuts ancient woodland and allotments, as well as public playing fields off Beech Road, Roffey.

The developers say that their “high quality development will help address the housing needs of the local area without having an undue impact on either neighbouring properties or the wider area.”

But objectors maintain there is no additional housing need as 2,750 homes are to be built nearby on land north of Horsham.

There are also fears of a lack of infrastructure and increased traffic in the area.

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