FAIRFAX applied to build 473 new homes on farmland at Newhouse Farm, off Old Crawley Road, Horsham.

The area ear-marked for development is bounded by Old Crawley Road, Sycamore Avenue, New Moorhead Drive, and Beech Road playing fields. The bigger two fields have a public footpath leading across and are partly surrounded by an ancient bluebell woodland.

The whole area is recognised as part of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

This space is currently enjoyed by hundreds of residents, families, children, dog walkers and wildlife, and is also surrounded a beautiful woodland.

The application was turned down by HDC in July 2020, however Fairfax have now submitted an appeal to this decision, and a Public Inquiry will take place on the 25th May 2021.

We are now wanting to raise £13,000 for a Statement of Case and a Landscape Expert’s Report that KOGS will submit to the Public Inquiry as an 'interested third party'.  Both of these are lengthy reports detailing technical and legal issues surrounding the application, and focusing on the AONB status.  As well as a site visit and report, the Landscape Expert will represent KOGS at the Public Inquiry. 

The preparation of our documents will be overseen by a leading law firm with expertise in environmental, wildlife, planning and public law.

We have been so encouraged by everyone’s support over the last year and we’re confident we can achieve this! This may sound a lot, but we have one chance at this, and want to submit the best reports by experts in their field.

Full details are on our website www.kogshorsham.org.

Updates are on our Facebook group www.facebook.com/groups/kogshorsham

Thank you so much for your contribution.

KOGS Committee