Midhurst brickworks and council depot development plans submitted

Metis Homes has lodged an application with the South Downs National Park Authority for the site off Bepton Road.

The land would be split up into two character areas, with the southern portion containing the main public open space and a ‘wooded common’.

This would feature courtyards and a series of long curved roads.

The northern parcel would be the former industrial site that housed the railway and brickwork buildings.

Almost a quarter of the homes, 18 of 75, are proposed as affordable. Of these 12 would be affordable rent and six for shared ownership.

These would all be flats.

Meanwhile 12 of the private market properties would be flats and the remaining 45 houses.

The main access to the site would be from Bepton Road and shared with the road to the household waste recycling site, which is set to remain.

An emergency access would be provided from Station Road.

The former brickworks, whose operation dated back to before the First World War, closed back in 1985, with only two metal sheds left on site.

According to the applicant: “The proposal has sought to respond positively to the site’s location within the South Downs National and to adopt a landscape-led approach which reflects the site’s edge of common context, as well as its industrial past.

“This includes careful consideration of the site’s relationship with adjoining common ensuring that the development offers a high level of amenity for futures occupiers.”

To comment on the plans visit planningpublicaccess.southdowns.gov.uk/online-applications using code SDNP/20/05059/FUL.