New development near Fontwell for 42 homes approved

The application, for land west of Fontwell Avenue, was given unanimous support at a meeting of the development control committee on Wednesday (November 25).

The development will be made up of 22 three-bedroom homes, 12 two-bedroom, four one-bedroom and four four-bedroom.

Four of the homes will be flats over garages, four will be in a two-storey block and 13 will be affordable.

Councillors were impressed with the application, calling it ‘well-planned’ and ‘a model for other applications’ and there was praise for its ‘green credentials’.

While supporting the plans, Isabel Thurston (Green, Barnham) said it was ‘regretable’ to lose ‘another green lung in Barnham’ or that a new access couldn’t be built from Level Mare Lane.

The council received objections from 22 people and the parish council, with concerns including the loss of trees, flooding, road safety and the loss of agricultural land.

The site is currently used as grazing and exercise land for horses from an equestrian school.

While the application will see 13 trees and a hedgerow removed from Fontwell Avenue, applicant Reside Developments Ltd will plant 40 new trees, 31 of which could grow to 10-15 high.

The committee approved the plan, which will be signed off by Karl Roberts, director of place, once a S106 legal agreement has been reached.