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Concern over Horsham Park
Following news of a
proposal to use parkland for an extension to the Hurst
Road car park, the Society's chairman has written to
the Chief Executive of Horsham District Council as
follows:
Dear Mr Crowley
I am writing on behalf of the Horsham Society to
express our considerable concern over proposed changes
to Horsham Park and the apparently piecemeal way in
which decisions are taken about its future. Most
urgently we request that the Cabinet defer a decision
on the proposal before its meeting next Thursday to
enlarge Hurst Road car park until there has been
proper consultation.
Our members consider the Park to be the jewel in the
crown of Horsham. We are very fortunate to have such
an attractive and accessible facility so close the
centre of the town and have the wisdom and foresight
of our former municipal leaders to thank for this. The
Society has long opposed any developments which
encroach upon the open space, particularly for
buildings or car parks, and we look to the present
Council to respect and protect its unique character
for future generations.
Evan Giles was good enough to attend a recent meeting
of our Committee to explain the proposals for
upgrading the area outside the nightclub. While this
could certainly do with improvement the initial plans
required a further incursion into the grassed area in
order to reposition the car park and provide a better
entrance to the park. Whether this will be justified
will depend on the final plans and we look forward to
seeing them soon.
Our Secretary, Michael
Hall, recently wrote separately to you about the
future of the nursery building. The Society has
previously had assurances that when the existing use
came to an end, as it will soon, the site would be
restored to parkland. It now seems that there may be a
proposal to continue the use of the site for other
purposes. The Society would see this as an act of bad
faith and an indication that the Council was not
serious in its determination to take opportunities as
they arise to restore and improve the Park.
We now see that there is a proposal before the Cabinet
next Thursday to extend the Hurst Road car park on to
land that was formerly part of the Park and should be
restored to the Park. It is clear from the paper that
there has been no proper consultation on this proposal
and the Society considers that it would be wrong for
the Cabinet to come to a decision until the community
has had a chance to comment. I should be grateful if
our strong representations could be conveyed to the
Chairman and Members at the meeting.
The Horsham Society is not opposed to all change, but
to changes which cumulatively threaten to destroy the
open parkland character of Horsham Park. The piecemeal
way in which proposals seem to emerge suggests a lack
of an overall vision and plan for preserving and
improving our Park.
Yours sincerely
John Steele
Chairman |
