Views sought on new plans for former brickworks site in Midhurst

Committee vice-chairman Gordon McAra said plans to build new homes with public open space and walking and cycling links are ‘very much in line with our original masterplan for the site’. He added that the council is ‘highly relieved’ that the waste collection station is staying in place.

However, Mr McAara said Midhurst Town Council has ‘always asked’ for an element of employment use on the site, like there has been for ‘nearly a century’, and he intends to put in a proposal to the developers, Metis Homes.

According to Metis Homes, its ‘carefully considered‘ proposals will decontaminate this brownfield site and ‘deliver a number of local benefits’ at the largest development site left in the town. These benefits are said to include ‘high-quality, affordable’ homes for local people.

Mr McAara said: “The town council welcomes the proposals for the brickworks site, which was originally an initiative from the town council over four years ago.

“We have been battling with the [South Downs] National Park for several years over this [employment use] but to no avail. “However we still think there is an opportunity to include some employment use and we will be making a proposal to Metis Homes, the developers.

“We also expect to see a decent number of affordable houses coming out of the development which will help the tight housing situation in Midhurst and the surrounding villages.”

Adam O’Brien, Metis Homes managing director, said its emerging proposals have been ‘carefully considered’ through pre-application discussions with the relevant local authorities, with ‘due regard’ for the relevant planning policy for the area.

He added: “We’ve worked hard to create a sensitively designed, high-quality and sustainable scheme which takes account of the site’s historic context and natural surroundings.

“The existing household recycling facility will remain in place as part of the proposals.”

Covid-19 forced the cancellation of Metis Homes’ face-to-face public engagement but residents can view and comment on the plans via the virtual consultation at www.thebrickworks.consultationonline.co.uk.

The deadline for providing comments is May 29.

Mr O’Brien said: “We were disappointed to have to cancel our planned face-to-face public engagement [but] we remain committed to consulting with the local community.

“We will carefully consider all feedback and, where possible, refine our proposals accordingly before we submit a planning application to the National Park Authority later this year.

“Anyone requiring assistance, or wishing to discuss our proposals further, is encouraged to the contact the project team on 0800 298 7040.”

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.