Relocation plans for car repair firm to Mannings Heath rejected

AE Carcraft’s change of use application for the building off Brighton Road was refused by Horsham District Council’s Development Control North Committee on Tuesday August 2.

Earlier in the meeting councillors approved Elite Garage’s application to remove a condition which restricted the use of the particular building to tyre storage only.

Toni Bradnum (Con, Nuthurst) said: “There’s simply not enough room for these operations and the numbers of cars coming on site every week.

“Conditions can’t conjure up any more space.

“I know the company is highly skilled but I can’t support this proposal.”

But Andrew Baldwin (Con, Holbrook East) said: “The county council have said they are happy with it. We have never won an appeal when we have disagreed with the county council.”

Mrs Bradnum replied: “The county council never refuse anything on parking or access. I do not take very much notice of them.”

Although Nuthurst Parish Council supported the removal of the condition, they objected to the change of use.

Owen Hydes, speaking for the parish council, explained that parking was ‘already at a premium’ and there would not be enough space for the 30 cars a week AE Carcraft would be working on.

He added: “This lack of space will lead to unsightly damaged cars strewn all around the site at the entrance to Mannings Heath village.”

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