Big step forward for Horsham Enterprise Park scheme
18 February 2020
The agreement to procure a development partner is a significant step forward for the exciting plans to develop the enterprise park
Horsham Enterprise Park proposals have taken a major step forward with the go-ahead for the county council to seek a development partner.
The partner will carry out a high quality, mixed use, commercial and residential development on the Wimblehurst Road site. The council's public Cabinet also approved the use of £4.157m for site enabling works and infrastructure improvements and other professional services connected with the project at their meeting on Tuesday.
Jeremy Hunt, Cabinet Member for Finance, said: "The agreement to procure a development partner is a significant step forward for the exciting plans to develop the enterprise park. The park will retain and promote high-value employment in Horsham and the local area and generate a financial return for the council's investment."
The main features of the outline development are:
- Up to 25,000 square metres of employment space - such as offices, research and development uses, workshop space – on two-thirds of the site, including a new enterprise hub or collaborative workspace for micro and small businesses
- Up to 300 new homes on one-third of the site in a range of sizes, types and tenures, including provision of 35 per cent affordable housing
- Community facilities for convenience shopping and other services
The Cabinet's decision is subject to the usual call-in period.
The council has also committed to ensuring local residents and businesses are well informed as the scheme progresses, and will be announcing dates for Community Information Events in the coming months.
Background
The county council purchased the site, formerly owned by Novartis Pharmaceuticals in Wimblehurst Road in December 2016. The key driver for the council's investment in buying the site was to sustain and build on its long-established position as a major centre for high-value employment in Horsham town, as a key contributor to the local, county and sub-regional economy.