Still time to have your say on key Horsham site's future
28 September 2018
Proposals for a mixed use scheme, providing high-quality business space and new homes at the former Novartis site in Horsham, were on public display on Wednesday.
More than 150 people attended the information event, held by West Sussex County Council at the Holbrook Club, with the opportunity to talk to members of the project team and give feedback. Horsham Enterprise Park was also introduced as the new name for the next phase of the development.
There is still time to give feedback: anyone who could not attend can view the proposals online via the county council's Have Your Say consultation hub.
The display boards from Wednesday's event can also be viewed in the reception area at County Hall North (Parkside), Chart Way, Horsham, from lunchtime on the 1st October to 12th October.
Louise Goldsmith, county council Leader, said: "It was wonderful to see so many people, of all different ages, at The Holbrook Club on Wednesday and I would like to thank them for taking the time to attend."
"Feedback from this public consultation will be invaluable, so if you were unable to be there on Wednesday, we would really appreciate it if you would go online to see the proposals, or view them at County Hall North's reception."
Approximately two-thirds of the former Novartis site is planned for commercial development to create and support higher-value employment, and one-third for new homes, which will include affordable housing. The 1930s Art Deco building will be retained.
The deadline for people to complete the online feedback is 12 October.
All feedback from the first round of consultation will be taken on board and a revised masterplan for the site prepared. A second round of consultation on the revised masterplan will begin with a second drop-in event on Tuesday 30 October at the Holbrook Club from 12 noon to 8pm.
It is expected that an outline planning application will be submitted to Horsham District Council later this year.
The county council purchased the site from global health care company Novartis for £16million, and the authority received £3.66million from the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership Local Growth Fund towards the cost of the acquisition.