Plan submitted for 19 homes on controversial site in West Chiltington

The application to build on land west of Smock Alley comes just four months after councillors threw out plans for 21 homes on the same site.

Sean Davis, who lives in Smock Alley, said: “As previously, the residents of West Chiltington will contest these plans to destroy our rural countryside.

“Nothing has changed that contradicts the original reasons for the last refusal by Horsham District Council.

“This was based on grounds of unsustainability, significant landscape harm and the isolation of the woods behind caused by the proposed development.”

He added that a neighbourhood plan is now in draft form at public consultation, and the proposal is ‘contrary to the plan’.

The new application includes up to 19 homes with access from Smock Alley, landscaping, parking, public open space and a new public footpath link.

The application number is DC/15/1389.

There was relief and celebration among villagers when councillors turned down the previous proposal at a meeting in March.

While campaigning against the housing, villagers set up a petition calling on the plan to be rejected that gained around 300 signatures.

In addition, a website in opposition to the plan was created.

It was argued that the previous development would not meet a local need for housing, would cause road safety issues, and affect local wildlife.

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