A proposal for as many as 125 residential units has received a recommendation for endorsement at a location adjacent to a commercial area.

Outline consent is being pursued to construct the dwellings on parcel situated to the east of Billingshurst Trade and Business Park, with the scheme additionally encompassing supporting infrastructure and landscaped areas.

The applicant Dunmoore had initially intended to divide the proposed dwelling count with 81 offered at standard market pricing and 44 designated as affordable.

The applicant has since expressed willingness to provide the entire development as affordable housing.

The suggested residential options would comprise single-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments alongside houses featuring between two and four bedrooms.

Vehicle entry would be established through the northern distributor road adjoining the Lidl store, which forms part of the business park’s overall design.

The residential development would occupy land east of the existing business park.

The application for the dwellings has been filed together with two companion proposals, one encompassing 102 residences and 5,605 square metres of retail space, and another comprising commercial structures with supporting facilities.

The construction would take place on acreage formerly allocated for phase two of the business park.

No commercial enterprises have committed to phase two of the premises since 2022, despite ongoing marketing efforts, and the parcel currently lacks feasibility for commercial development given escalating building expenses and evolving market circumstances.

Billingshurst Parish Council has raised opposition to the scheme, asserting the modification undermines the business park’s original function and would constrain employment expansion in the vicinity.

Horsham District Council officials determined in their assessment that housing demand supersedes the adverse impact from losing commercial space.

Information indicates 254 families are registered for social housing in Billingshurst, with half seeking three-bedroom or four-bedroom accommodations.

Phase one of the business park has been substantially completed aside from one modest parcel.

Phase two currently features a fuel station, coffee drive-through outlet, Lidl supermarket, and a building materials supplier, though minimal additional commercial space exists.

The proposal will be reviewed by the district council’s planning committee on April 28.