New Waitrose plans submitted for Horsham

Proposals include a 4,000 sq metre Waitrose food store, a slightly smaller non-food store, and around 400 parking spaces on the Lifestyle Ford, Horsham Bowling Club, and Bishops Weald’s car park sites off the Bishopric.

The bowling club is relocating to Holbrook Tythe Barn, while Lifestyle Ford is moving to the empty site on the Farthings Hill roundabout in Broadbridge Heath.

The new store, backed by developers Westrock and the British Airways Pension Fund would front on to Albion Way, and could include new pedestrian crossing from the town centre.

According to results from Westrock’s survey of residents in June 94.7 per cent of respondents supported the rejuvenation of the West End area of Horsham.

The design and access statement concludes: “Through careful analysis of the site we have designed a building that we believe not only adds to the area through commercial activity, but also adds to the area physically.

“The uses have been carefully combined to create a single building, to deliver a good shopping experience and environment.

“The architectural form and modelling is derived from an understanding of the site’s past and of its neighbouring buildings.”

What do you think of redevopment of this area of Horsham town centre and the building of a new Waitrose? Comment below or email [email protected]