Restaurant in favour of crematorium

As previously reported in the County Times, plans to establish a new crematorium just off the A272 Cowfold Road were heard in the Development Control South meeting where members agreed it should be rejected.

Mr D Chadburn, manager of The Orchard Restaurant, Cowfold Road, spoke to The County Times about the decision.

“Not everyone was against the plans. And as the business that would have been directly effected by it I welcomed it.

“It would have got rid of a derelict building that is frankly an eyesore and I also think it would have brought business to the village,” he said.

He also spoke about the parish council, highlighting that he had not been consulted by them on the matter as he felt he should have been as his business is directly behind the building.

A spokesperson from the parish council said: “We always took it as read that the owners of The Orchards Restaurant would be in favour of the application. The only surprise would have been if they opposed it.

“The owners had exactly the same opportunity as anyone else to attend and make their views known. They did not do so.

“If they had, they would have been left in no doubt just how strongly everyone else living in the hamlet felt about the application. Everyone who wanted to speak had the chance to do so.”

A report is to be collated by planning team leader Gary Peck and members Jonathan Chowen (Con, Cowfold, Shermanbury and West Grinstead) and planning chairman David Jenkins (Con, Chanctonbury) as to why the plans should be refused on appeal in relation to policy DC1, which seeks to protect the countryside.