Our natural environment is precious and once it is lost to creeping urbanisation, it can never be the same. Woodland is a vital ecosystem and I take the view that our ancient woodlands must always be protected.
The south of Crawley is fortunate to be bordered by Tilgate Forest and Worth Forest. As well as environmental benefits, the thousands of trees here provide a calming and tranquil place to walk, which is very positive for wellbeing.
I could never have imagined that parts of Worth Forest could be at risk of development, but sadly they are as there are plans for a huge ‘holiday village’ in the part of the forest known as Oldhouse Warren, which is the part closest to Maidenbower. This land sits within Mid-Sussex District Council and they are the planning authority, although Crawley will be more impacted by the increased road traffic and by the demand for housing from many people moving to the area to work there.
My fellow Conservative colleague, Maidenbower councillor, Kim Jaggard, feels that Crawley Borough Council should take a position of objecting to these plans, and I agree. Therefore, I am pleased that she has submitted a motion to next week’s Full Council meeting, where we hope we will get cross-party support to present a united front in opposing these plans. Our motion reads:
“Crawley Borough Council formally states its objection to the proposal, announced last year by Center Parcs, to construct a 'holiday village' comprising up to 900 holiday lodges, a restaurant and swimming complex, across 553 acres of Worth Forest immediately to the south of Maidenbower, in the area known as Oldhouse Warren.
In doing so, this Council instructs the Chief Executive to write to both Center Parcs and Mid-Sussex District Council, on behalf of the Council’s entire membership, setting out Crawley’s concerns about such a change of use of this site, and supporting the environmental concerns that have been highlighted by the Sussex Planning for Nature Group, which is made up of the Sussex Wildlife Trust, the RSPB, the Woodland Trust, CPRE Sussex and the Sussex Ornithological Society.”
Councillor Duncan Crow, Leader of Crawley Borough Council Conservative Group
12th October 2022
