South Downs MP backs protests over plans for ‘mini town’ near Billingshurst

Developers Our Place are proposing to build 3,500 homes, along with schools, a health centre and employment sites on greenfield land in Adversane.

But nearby residents have formed a protest group - BigSTAND - aimed at halting the development.

And they have now won the backing of MP Andrew Griffith who said: “We need the right homes in the right places and for those homes to be sustainable.

“The wrong way to proceed would be some of the large scale unsustainable housing developments that are currently being advocated in my constituency, which are blighting the lives and peace of mind of my constituents.

“Building a new town on unspoilt precious Wealden countryside at Adversane, where local infrastructure is already under strain, is not the right way to provide new homes in the district.”

BigSTAND chairman Julian Trumper said: “We are delighted that Andrew Griffith MP is supporting residents so strongly and hope that Horsham Council will take note of the overwhelming opposition to the Adversane new town plans and reject them at the earliest opportunity.”

The proposals have been submitted to Horsham District Council for consideration in its Draft Local Plan but no decisions have yet been made.

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