Plans for 90 homes off A-road despite residents ‘terrified’ by speeding vehicles

A proposed development of 90 homes that has generated concerns over speeding vehicles has been recommended for approval.

Horsham District Council planning officers have given the nod for outline permission proposals for up to 90 homes on land north of Guildford Road in Bucks Green, near Rudgwick.

Plans for the site include a mix of housing types and 40 per cent affordable homes, with access from a new priority junction onto the A281.

The proposed layout is for a cul-de-sac pattern of roads and groups of mainly two-storey dwellings, including detached, semi-detached, terraces, and small blocks of flats.

An artist’s impression of the plans (Image: Welbeck Land)

Concerns have been raised over the proposals by Rudgwick Parish Council and residents, who have warned that the building of more homes could be dangerous, due to the speed of vehicles travelling along the A281.

Objecting to the plans, one resident said: “I am terrified by the speed of the traffic, the size of the traffic and the proximity of the pedestrian footpath to these vehicles.

“The footpaths are far too narrow to be alongside a road of that size and with cars speeding as they do.”

Another said: “If more houses are to be built then the speed of the road needs to be addressed.

“It’s meant to be a 30mph zone but that is rarely the case.

“If you add another junction with more vehicles it won’t be a question of if there could be a fatal or serious accident, but when.”

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In light of the concerns raised, Sussex Police have sought a financial contribution from developers for £5,500 to operate mobile cameras on the road, a suggestion backed by the parish council.

A permanent camera had been suggested, but was deemed unviable in the location due to the need to site it adjacent to a pedestrian crossing and widen the existing road.

However, district council planning officers said it was not reasonable to oblige the developer to provide funding for the speed cameras.

They added that the request was not deemed necessary to mitigate the impact of the development as there was no direct evidence it would increase the impact of crime and disorder in relation to speeding.

Recommending the scheme for approval, officers cited the council’s lack of a five-year housing land supply, granting this “substantial weight”.

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