VIDEO: Campaigners celebrate rejection of 160 Henfield homes

Horsham District Council’s Development Control South Committee unanimously rejected Barratt Homes’ plans for land off West End Lane on the grounds of the scale of the development in a countryside location.

Simon Andrews, chairman of Hands off Henfield, said: “We are pleased to get a unanimous decision from the council. Obviously it’s a battle that’s been won and not the war.

“We anticipate the developers will appeal. However it could be us that sets the precedent and wins an appeal.”

He thanked everyone who had helped over the last few months and hailed the ‘huge village effort’ in Henfield.

Ray Osgood, a Henfield parish councillor but speaking in a personal capacity, said that South Downs villages like theirs were ‘are our cathedrals’.

Sheila Matthews (Ind, Henfield) described the scheme as overbearing, and said it would represent an urban sprawl.

For more see this Thursday’s County Times South Downs edition.