Plans put forward for new £15m Horsham shopping centre featuring discount food store, coffee shop and drive-through

Plans for a new shopping centre in Horsham have been put forward by West Sussex County Council.
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The new retail park is planned to feature a discount food store, a DIY shop and garden centre, a drive through take-away restaurant, and a coffee shop, West Sussex County Council said.

The new shopping centre is proposed on the site of the former Broadbridge Heath highways depot which the council declared surplus to requirements in 2018.

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Council chiefs are proposing to invest £15.47m from its capital programme to regenerate the site and construct the retail units. A new roundabout is also proposed to provide access to the site.

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Jeremy Hunt, West Sussex County Council cabinet member for finance, said: “This is an exciting scheme which will not only make use of underutilised county council land, but will also support economic recovery and regeneration as part of our economy reset plan.

“Market research has indicated that the site is an ideal location for a retail park. As well as benefiting the community, the scheme will also provide around 135 new jobs as well as generate a significant revenue return on investment for the county council for many years to come.”

Four retailers have already been identified and have confirmed their intention to commit to long-term leases on the site, the council confirmed. A spokesman said: “It’s hoped the retail park could be up and running by 2023/24, subject to planning permissions.

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“The design and layout of the scheme is still being worked on and subject to ongoing studies and analysis.

“The proposed location of the new access roundabout will be confirmed when the county council submits the full planning application, which is expected in early Autumn 2021.”

A Horsham District Council spokesman said: “If and when a planning application is submitted for the redevelopment of the West Sussex County Council Depot site at Broadbridge Heath, it will be assessed against national and local planning policies and requirements.

“These policies and requirements seek to ensure that the vitality and viability of town centres is supported and includes the need for a sequential test which will consider whether any adverse impacts on the existing town centre will arise.

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“Until such time that the content of a planning application is known, it is not possible to comment on the effects of the economy, which will quite rightly be assessed in full as part of the decision making process. “