Road near Crawley faces 'total gridlock' if homes go ahead, campaigners warn
Save West of Ifield are urging for the plans near Charlwood Road to be dropped.
A group at the head of a four-year battle against a 3000 home development between Crawley and Horsham is warning the area's "headed for gridlock" if it goes ahead.
Save West of Ifield are urging for the plans near Charlwood Road to be dropped.
An application submitted to Horsham District Council details proposals for homes, business, service, storage and industrial buildings, a hotel, community and education facilities, gypsy and traveller pitches, open space and sports pitches, as well as pedestrian and cycle routes.
The full element will cover infrastructure such as the Crawley western relief road (Multi-Modal Corridor), access from Charlwood Road, crossing points, and access infrastructure for the school site and future development.
Cathy Durrant, Vice Chair of the campaign, warned it'll add to existing congestion:
"What we're going to see is another, or cars to another 3,000 houses, plus their deliveries, plus buses, all ending up on the Charlwood Road, which is a C road.
"It's already a mile to the nearest A road, which is the A23, and raffic congestion down there most mornings and most evenings at rush air is already awful.
She continued that suggestions to filter traffic through Ifield will "worsen existing gridlock" and see "residential roads turned into rat runs":
"That in turn will increase noise pollution and increase air pollution.
"In particular, it's going to include air pollution by two junior schools."
Homes England said: "Submitting this planning application is a significant step towards delivering a vibrant, sustainable community at West of Ifield.
“Our vision is to create a place where people can live, work, and thrive
supported by high quality infrastructure and green spaces that respect the local environment. Our
proposals will not only deliver much-needed new homes for the region but also secure investment in new infrastructure, jobs, community facilities.
“We look forward to working with the council’s, stakeholders and local residents through the planning application determination process.”
The application can be viewed here, where comments can also be made.