A proposal to construct 150 residences on land previously used for mushroom cultivation has attracted over 100 formal complaints, after residents had their say in a community feedback process.

Bellway Homes wants to develop the properties on the former Thakeham Mushrooms facility in Thakeham, a village close to Storrington.

The company is pushing ahead after a bigger plan for 247 dwellings was turned down just last year. That earlier application drew 463 written objections and also failed to gain approval when challenged at appeal.

Now, a fresh round of public engagement on the revised plans, which ends on March 20, has similarly generated substantial opposition.

One local resident expressed strong disapproval of the scheme, noting that the issues that plagued the initially rejected development had not been resolved. According to this resident, the core issue was never simply about the quantity. The fundamental problem lies in selecting an inappropriate location for development of this magnitude. That essential concern persists. Thakeham remains a modest village, unable to withstand repeated large-scale housing estate expansion without incurring significant damage.

Bellway has scaled back its updated scheme by eliminating apartment blocks to reduce how tightly packed the development would be.

The housebuilder is keeping its pledge to designate 35 percent of the housing for affordable tenures and intends to reserve the northern section of the grounds as open space for community use.

However, another local dismissed the ideas as absurd and perilous, commenting that Thakeham possesses charming countryside character and ongoing construction will devastate the neighbourhood and create excessive vehicle movement that the road network simply cannot accommodate.

A third individual described the scheme as entirely inappropriate.

Bellway has suggested measures to enhance travel options throughout the vicinity, including a proposed transport hub offering electric bicycle rental and an on-demand minibus service that could provide school transportation and regular daytime trips.

The developer maintains the project will deliver benefits to the surrounding area while maintaining thoughtful integration with the current village.

The mushroom farm land was deemed unprofitable for commercial growing in 2022.

A verdict on the development proposals is anticipated by May 18.