Next steps for key Horsham site announced at community stakeholder event

27 July 2018

Wider public consultation on the masterplan for the site is due to start in September

The latest proposals for the former Novartis site in Horsham were presented at a community stakeholder event this week, attended by representatives from Horsham District Council, parish councils and local residents.

Wider public consultation on the masterplan for the site is due to start in September, so this event was a chance for West Sussex County Council to present initial proposals and outline next steps for this exciting project.

West Sussex County Council purchased the site in December 2016, and feasibility and design work has been taking place to progress proposals for a mixed use, business and residential development to meet local needs.

Louise Goldsmith, Leader of the council, said: "Our main driver when purchasing the site was to build on its long-established position as a major employment centre. This development gives us a terrific opportunity to provide a mixture of much needed, high-quality commercial and residential space on a prime Horsham site, whilst retaining the Art Deco building which is part of the site's heritage."

"The feedback from attendees at our kick-off briefing this week was invaluable and will be taken on board as we move to the wider public consultation stage in the autumn."

The emerging masterplan sets out the ambition for the site. Approximately two-thirds of the site is currently earmarked for commercial development to create and support higher-value employment. The remaining third is for residential development, which will include affordable housing. The 1930s, Art Deco building and an avenue of trees will be retained.

The forthcoming public consultation will be promoted widely and will include two public events. The date and location of the first public event will be announced shortly. Further information on the project will be added to the Business West Sussex website.

It is expected that an outline planning application will be submitted to Horsham District Council by the end of this year. Work on the site is not expected to begin before 2021 and could take around five years to complete.