Woodgate Road, Woodgate

The masterplan for BEW was consulted upon earlier this year and formally approved on 25 November. We have started preparing a planning application which seeks to follow the principles set down by the masterplan.  

The development site links the homes of Woodgate on its western edge to the new green park on its eastern edge, therefore providing both new homes and green space alongside an east/west road connection.

Download the Site Layout Plan

Creating a design which is ‘of this place’ is crucial. Traditional brick, hung clay tiles, flint, render and barn style weatherboarding all reflect the style of homes in the local area and are used within the scheme.

Around 180 homes will be provided, a mixture of 1 to 4-bedroom homes – including first homes and apartments right through to larger family homes. 30% of the new homes will be affordable, made available for local residents at below market rent and shared ownership schemes. Providing affordable homes as part of every development enables communities to thrive.

The BEW strategic development delivers a range of new infrastructures to support new and existing residents. The local highway improvements are an important part of this and have been developed through the masterplan by Arun District Council and West Sussex County Council.

The masterplan has allowed for the A29 to be diverted as part of the new scheme, alleviating congestion along the existing A29, and reducing through-traffic by bypassing Woodgate.

As part of the masterplan, new cycle and pedestrian connections will be provided to Westergate, and new schools, a local centre and Barnham Train Station will also be provided, encouraging residents to walk and cycle rather than use their cars.

Changes in response to feedback

Throughout the consultation we have also been working with statutory consultees, West Sussex County Council, Arun District Council and neighbouring land owner, the Church Commissioners. During this process we have made the following changes since our consultation in January:

• Facilitating the provision of a more sustainable pedestrian and cycle bridge as the connection from the development to the east, which modelling has shown will reduce rat running and traffic flows on Woodgate Road compared to if the road link was provided between the old and new A29.
• Changed the housing mix of the scheme to provide more smaller units, creating a slightly less dense development with more green spaces.
• Reviewed the drainage strategy following additional technical work and surveys, to ensure that the drainage system robustly copes with the high water table and flooding events.
• Updated the biodiversity strategy for the linear park area being provided as part of the scheme, to ensure the maximum level of protection and habitat creation in this important wildlife corridor.
• Made provision to widen the footpath along Woodgate Road to improve cycle and pedestrian access from Woodgate across to the new BEW development. View the site access plan.

Creating a development that is a home to people as well as wildlife is important to us. The existing site has commercial buildings and 3 houses along with a large area used for the grazing of horses, which means that it has low levels of biodiversity.

Through our planting, design and creation of new habitats, we will ensure more wildlife diversity. We will do this through creating green spaces, hedgehog highways, and restoring traditional habitats, as well as incorporating bee bricks, swift boxes and other features to our homes. We will also integrate Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems into the development, providing useable open space in the summer, or new semi-wet natural habitats.

Application submitted to Arun District Council in July/August 2021.

Statutory consultation with a decision expected around Autumn/Winter 2021.

First homes available in 2022, taking 3-4 years to build.

You can let us know your thoughts by:

Calling us on 0800 148 8911

Writing to us at Freepost, MPC Consultation

Or complete our feedback form below