KEEP ROOKWOOD GREEN ALLIANCE

In the recent Local Plan consultation Horsham District Council (HDC) proposed several ‘strategic sites’ for future housing developments. One of these is Rookwood Golf Course where they propose to build 1100 high-density dwellings, up to five storeys high. The Covid-19 emergency has emphasised how access to local green space is vital for physical and mental wellbeing. Given the impact the proposals would have on the areas adjacent to Rookwood Golf Course, the “Keep Rookwood Green Alliance” (KRGA) has been formed from local groups.

We (KRGA) believe that the Rookwood site should be retained as a green space to provide leisure and recreational opportunities for both the local community in Horsham town and those from further afield.

This proposal threatens Warnham Local Nature Reserve, which is adjacent to Rookwood, through noise and light pollution, increased predation by cats and by severing the Reserve’s wildlife corridors to the west. It would be isolated within urban development.

HDC does need to produce a Local Development Plan, but this is the wrong plan! Their proposal will axe a popular amenity, destroy a valued green space and damage one of the most bio-diverse sites in Sussex.

Horsham District Council (HDC) has released an Ecological Survey Report compiled by a Principal Ecologist with fifteen years of experience.

The report confirms the rich natural heritage of the site. In particular, the northern half contains important woodland bordering onto Warnham Local Nature Reserve and 75% of the land it represents is ‘high to medium risk’ to the Reserve, if developed. The southern land contains a flood plain as well linking vital green and blue corridors leading to the River Arun. Both halves of the site contain ancient wooded boundaries, hedgerows, ditches and ponds which provide important wildlife habitat.

Any development would need major access roads to reach the relatively small areas where building would have the least impact, whilst the expected influx of domestic cats, would be disastrous for wildlife on the Nature Reserve.

HDC do have a choice! The draft Local Plan proposed more housing capacity than the new Government targets require – presumably to give some postconsultation flexibility. They can choose to exclude some of the proposed sites and we urge them to “Keep Rookwood Green”. We need to protect this green space for Horsham Residents, for wildlife and for future generations.

The Victorians protected green space in cities and it is the challenge of our generation to protect green spaces in towns such as ours. What can YOU do? Have your say! Please write to your councillors today. If you don’t have their names, find them here: www.writetothem.com

Tell us what you would like to happen at Rookwood by participating in our survey at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/KRGAJune20. Sign the petition – add your name to the petition which already has over 5000 signatures at http://chng.it/tLS8TnkZgr (Horsham District Council: No to Rookwood golf course future development for housing). Keep up to date with our website: www.keeprookwoodgreen.org Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Flickr and Twitter