Catesby Estates has successfully completed the sale of a residential development site in Pulborough, West Sussex to Barratt David Wilson Southern Counties.

The site north of Drovers Lane, was granted outline planning consent by Horsham District Council for 170 homes, 35% of which are affordable homes, and includes substantial open space.

Working with the Council

Catesby worked closely with both Horsham District Council and Pulborough Parish Council for a number of years from initial promotion of the site to application submission.  Subsequently as a result of our early foundation work the site was selected as a housing allocation in the emerging Pulborough Neighbourhood Plan for 100 dwellings.  Following receipt of further technical and landscape evidence, the allocation was refined and increased with the submission Neighbourhood Plan, and the draft Horsham Local Plan allocating the site for 170 dwellings.

The permission granted included a new footbridge across the mainline railway to the north of the site.  Our in-house technical team used their contacts at Network Rail to collaborate with them to replace the existing pedestrian footpath crossing, increasing pedestrian safety and connectivity to the wider area.  The new bridge was recognised as a key benefit by local councillors when granting permission.

Catesby also liaised with representatives of the Pulborough pump track project group, who had a longstanding ambition to secure a location and funding for a cycling, scooter and skateboard pump track for the area.  The planning consent secures the delivery of this community facility which is to be provided within the onsite 14 acre country park.

Pulborough Land Sale

Water Neutrality

In an area where new development must be water neutral, we were able to provide an onsite solution.  The site had previously operated as a commercial plant nursery with a water licence for extraction from an onsite bore hole and adjacent lake.  We were able to demonstrate to the Council and Natural England the water usage of the nursery was considerably more than the anticipated water usage of the new homes.

Working on the sale on behalf of the landowners was Mark Flemington and James Dear of Savills, and representing Barratt David Wilson Southern Counties was James Pugh MRICS and Harriet Heron.

Andy Wright, Associate Land Director at Catesby Estates said; “We are delighted to have completed this land sale to Barratt David Wilson Southern Counties.”

“This site will provide a range of much needed sustainable new housing for Pulborough, along with a range of community benefits including the much sought after pump track.”

"Based on the level of enquiries we have already received from local residents about this site we expect demand to be high for the new homes by Barratt David Wilson Southern Counties.  With 60 of the new homes being classed as affordable housing, it will enable many local people to take their first step on the housing ladder.”

Find out more about the site here.