Key Horsham redevelopment priorities mapped out in growth deal for town

Horsham District Council and West Sussex County Council have jointly committed to a number of shared strategic priorities to deliver new homes, create jobs and boost economic prosperity in the area.

Major projects in the deal include infrastructure required as part of large-scale development at the North of Horsham and West of Horsham sites, redevelopment in Hurst Road, a new Horsham town centre vision and the planned Horsham Enterprise Park on the former Novartis land.

The growth deal will act as a joint undertaking by the two local authorities to combine resources to deliver these shared priorities.

Ray Dawe, leader of the district council, said: “Horsham District Council is working to increase economic growth, maintain and create new local jobs and bring continued prosperity to the district and our residents.

“The value of this district deal is that we work in partnership with the county council to ensure we together focus strongly on agreed priority projects that will help us achieve our objectives.”

Louise Goldsmith, leader of WSCC, added: “The Horsham district growth deal provides a real opportunity to work formally together on a range of ambitious plans for Horsham and the surrounding area. It means we can secure resources and investment to deliver much-needed improvements to local infrastructure including a new fire station and training centre.

“I know from other district deals that collaborative working with the district council and other partners creates an environment to boost the local economy, helping both local residents and businesses to not only prosper but also to benefit from the improvements planned.

“The Horsham deal is the sixth one signed, and I am delighted to say West Sussex County Council now has deals in place with every district and borough council in the county. It puts a real focus on economic growth and development, countywide.”

The West of Horsham developments include improvements to the Newbridge, Farthings Hill, Great Daux and Robin Hood roundabouts, while an improved A264 Rusper Road roundabout is due to be delivered as part of the North Horsham scheme.

A new signallised junction is planned between Rusper Road and the A264 Moorhead roundabout.

Meanwhile the deal’s second priority looks to deliver work including in Horsham Town Centre Vision Statement agreed by HDC last year, including:

• Enhancements to the public realm between Horsham Railway Station and the town centre, with possible hotel redevelopment of Park House in conjunction with development of Hurst Road

• Better links between West Street and the Forum by improving connectivity and the appearance of Blackhorse Way

• Exploring a scheme to improve the use of the library building by the creation of a civic hub combining library, health and advice facilities

• Looking at residential/retail development to enclose the southern edge of The Forum

• Schemes to improve the public realm at the eastern and western edges of the Bishopric

• Improvements in Queen Street including better links to East Street

• Options to increase parking capacity and possible residential schemes for the Horsham Railway Station and RSA car park sites east of the railway line.

The two authorities are also looking to deliver a masterplan for the Hurst Road area to facilitate the redevelopment of the existing fire station, police station, magistrates court, the youth club, Arun House, ambulance station and Royal Mail sorting office.

The combined sites could potentially deliver around 300 new homes, a hotel and conference centre and new commercial and employment space.

A new blue-light operational and training centre on county council land off the A24 is being proposed, while alternative off-site youth provision is being explored.

A satellite station close to the town centre would be created, with an on-call fire engine and public-facing front counter for police.

The county council is proposing new employment space and homes on the former Novartis site off Wimblehurst Road.

The district deal can be viewed in full here.

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