Horsham pub’s redevelopment on hold due to concerns with loss of ‘historic’ buildings

Plans to redevelop a Horsham pub site were deferred by the council after concerns were raised over the loss of ‘historic’ buildings.
By Joshua Powling
Published 5th Aug 2015, 16:50 BST

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DM1521597a.jpg The Raw Chocolate Company. Founder Linus Gorpe. Photo by Derek Martin SUS-150308-162049008DM1521597a.jpg The Raw Chocolate Company. Founder Linus Gorpe. Photo by Derek Martin SUS-150308-162049008
DM1521597a.jpg The Raw Chocolate Company. Founder Linus Gorpe. Photo by Derek Martin SUS-150308-162049008

Brewer Hall and Woodhouse is looking for permission to demolish and replace the current rear extension to the Queens Head in Queen Street, create three new flats above the pub, as well as building four new houses fronting on to New Street, and two flats at the Old Bakery Antiques shop.

However concerns were raised at Horsham District Council’s Development Control North Committee over the loss of the ‘historic’ buildings in New Street. Councillors also raised parking and road safety issues.

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David Skipp (LDem, Horsham Park) described being ‘distressed’ at plans to knock down the old bakery buildings, which he said could be between 200 or 300 years old.

JPCT 190814 S14340957x Horsham. Queen Street, New Street. Queen's Head -photo by Steve Cobb SUS-140819-150747001JPCT 190814 S14340957x Horsham. Queen Street, New Street. Queen's Head -photo by Steve Cobb SUS-140819-150747001
JPCT 190814 S14340957x Horsham. Queen Street, New Street. Queen's Head -photo by Steve Cobb SUS-140819-150747001

He added: “Once again part of Horsham’s history is going to be bulldozed and I was appalled at this plan to undertake vandalism of our history.”

Josh Murphy (Con, Horsham Park) felt current plans were a ‘shame’ as he wanted to see the rejuvenation of the area and the pub thrive.

Toni Bradnum (Con, Nuthurst) added: “It’s no good keeping calling ourselves a historic market town and knocking down everything that’s historic. It’s a bit of a farce.”

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Members contemplated refusing the application, but they decided to defer it so they could talk to the applicant. Last year Hall and Woodhouse said the plans were about investing in the pub, which had become a ‘little bit tired’, but to do so they had to ‘make the site work a bit harder’.

The loss of the 'historic' buildings in New Street was a concern raised by several councillors on TuesdayThe loss of the 'historic' buildings in New Street was a concern raised by several councillors on Tuesday
The loss of the 'historic' buildings in New Street was a concern raised by several councillors on Tuesday

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Related topics:Councillors