Henfield Parish Design Statement Supplementary Planning Document – December 2008 Parish ´Features

St.Peter’s

South View Terrace

Flood Plain

Key – Parish boundary Village envelope Commons Low Sandstone ridge

Reproduced from the Ordnance Survey map with permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office. Crown Copyright 2008. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Henfield Parish Design Statement Contents 1 INTRODUCTION Page 4 1a What is a Design Statement? 1b Relationship to Horsham District Council’s Local Development Framework

2 THE VILLAGE/PARISH CONTEXT Page 4 2a Geographic and historic background 2b The Parish today

3 CHARACTER OF THE LANDSCAPE SETTING Page 5 3a Character of surrounding countryside – landscape Biodiversity 3b Relationship between countryside and village edges 3c Buildings in the landscape

4 THE CHARACTER OF HENFIELD Page 7 Developed pattern of Henfield A Conservation area and historic core B The London Road estates C Fabians Way/Staples Barn D Upper Station Road E Station area F Broomfield G Barrow Hill H Furners

5 BUILDING MATERIALS Page 13 6 TREES, SHRUBS, HEDGEROWS & PONDS Page 13 7 STREET FURNITURE Page 14 8 FOOTPATH SYSTEM Page 16 9 PRINCIPLES & GUIDELINES Page 16 10 APPENDICES Page 18 Acknowledgements References

Cover pictures: St. Peter’s Church and High Street.

Page 3 1 INTRODUCTION An SPD has statutory status St. Peter’s church has been but is only used to supple- documented from 770AD, but 1a What is a Design ment Development Plan there is little evidence of a Documents (DPD) such as the major settlement until several Statement? Core Strategy and centuries later. By the 16th The concept dates back to Development Control Policies century it was evidently a 1996 from a document providing further detail on significant Wealden village. “Village Design” published by policies and proposals that There seem to have been the then Countryside the DPDs do not have the originally 3 distinct parts to Commission. scope for. the village; a loose collection This Statement is not about of dwellings around the whether development should 2 THE church; development along take place; that is a job for the eastern side of the Horsham District Council’s VILLAGE/PARISH London – Brighton road; local development frame- CONTEXT scattered development at Nep work. It is about how any Town. The early 1800s saw planned development should 2a Geographic and historic more rapid growth, enhanced by the coming of the railway be carried out so that it is in background in 1861, particularly to the harmony with its setting and Although categorized as a makes a positive contribution west of the village forming a ‘Market Town’, Henfield square of approximately half to the local environment. It remains commonly under- provides a context for new a mile across. Development stood as a ‘village’, albeit a development based upon continued throughout the substantial one, and hereafter local character or sense of 20th century so that virtually will be referred to as such in place. It is also designed to the whole square has now this Statement. The village lies help manage change at what- been built upon. on a sandstone ridge in the ever scale it occurs. The village boundary has also Sussex Low Weald, sometimes been extended with suburban known as the Vale of Sussex, 1b Relationship to development at Wantley, 4km. north of the South Furners Mead, Hollands Road Horsham District Downs scarp and some 6.5km. Council’s Local and more recently the south of the High Weald. Its Parsonage Road and Deer Development name is thought to be derived Park developments. The Framework. from ‘Hamfeld’ meaning ‘high village has a present The Statement has been open land’ or possibly ‘open population of about 5,400. adopted by Horsham District land characterized by rocks’. Council as a Supplementary The River Adur flows around The wider Henfield parish Planning Document (SPD) the north and west sides of covers an area of some 1733 and sits within the Council's the village and into the sea at hectares (4282 acres or about Local Development Shoreham; it is tidal up to 8 sq. miles). It stretches from Framework as another Local Henfield. the borders of Shermanbury Development Document. in the North to Small Dole in South Downs from Nep Town. the south. The parish boundary to the west follows the line of the River Adur and includes a significant area of flood plain between the river and the route of the original Shoreham to Horsham railway line, now the North/South Downs Link pathway. The parish includes the northern part of the village of Small Dole, embraces scattered development around Oreham Common and then to the east the border runs between the Views westwards from Mill End, Nep Town. village and Woodmancote. future. Henfield is gently undulating 2b The Parish today 3 CHARACTER OF except for the flat floodplain The village, contained with THE LANDSCAPE to the southwest. This land- areas of grade 1/2 agricultural scape is a mosaic of large and land, developed over the SETTING small fields in a mixture of centuries as a market garden arable and pastoral land, village as well as a watering 3a Character of woods, copses, hedgerows place on the main surrounding country- and hedgerow trees and a London/Horsham – Brighton side – landscape scattering of ponds. There are road. Today its function is bio-diversity three historic Commons partly as a dormitory residen- The sandstone ridge on which within the parish, ancient tial area for larger centres Henfield lies comprises two open land and a network of both north and south, with a different kinds of sandstone footpaths. significant retirement commu- beds running east-west. The The Parish has rich flora and nity. However, farming in highest part of the village is fauna typical of the low particular remains important Nep Town at 38.8m. (127ft.) weald. The growth of organic within the parish. Henfield is where it steeply slopes to the and non-intensive farming relatively self-contained and Henfield Levels floodplain or has led to the maintenance of self-sufficient economically ‘brooks’. The height is less hedgerows and woodland, with a good range of shops obvious to the East where the and a number of small indus- lower greensand beds and providing habitat for wildlife trial and commercial premises, gault clay stretch towards including the return of the offering a variety of employ- Blackstone, Hurstpierpoint otter to the Adur Valley. Deer, ment opportunities. It also and beyond. badgers, foxes and many has sports facilities which small mammals are abundant include a cricket club dating The countryside surrounding and the area provides suitable back to 1721, football, bowls and a modern leisure centre. Social facilities include a large versatile village hall complex with museum, a youth club and many clubs and societies offering a wide variety of activities for all ages. Some further limited housing development is programmed on the northern edge as an extension to Deer Park. Nevertheless, it is hoped that the present character and size of Henfield will be maintained for the foreseeable St. Peter’s Church tower is the principal landmark of Henfield.

Page 5 habitat for many rare and and there from the extensive High Weald can be seen to protected species such as the footpath network, whilst the the north as well as longer crested newt, water vole, edge of housing at Deer Park distant views of Black Down water shrew and adder, as is just visible approaching beyond Petworth. All these well as bats, slow worms and from the north. However, the views are an important stag beetles. main feature from the Downs feature of the village and and countryside to the south should be protected. The integration of the village and west that helps pinpoint community with the sur- Henfield is the aptly-named 3c Buildings in the rounding countryside has South View Terrace, a row of landscape been managed very success- light-painted Victorian houses Many of the buildings in the fully in the past and the on the crest of the ridge in surrounding countryside are varied and rich wildlife is Nep Town. Larger Victorian farmhouses. Often these are valued by all who live and houses in Broomfield Road half-timbered in construction visit the area. It is considered and Croft Lane can also be dating back to the 1300 and a high priority that this glimpsed from the banks of 1400s and are listed. balance should remain and be the Adur. Sometimes their settings are protected. marred by modern, undistin- Outward views from within guished steel-framed 3b Relationship Henfield give a fine agricultural buildings, between countryside panoramic backdrop of the although trees and high and village edges South Downs, stretching for hedgerows screen some of Despite its rapid growth in miles in both directions. These the farms. There are also recent years, Henfield has are best seen from along the pockets of houses and bunga- remained virtually invisible edge of the ridge which lows here and there. To the from both the South Downs clearly forms the south side of north, the tall spire of the and the lower countryside the settlement. From Nep monastery church between around. This is due to a com- Town and Broomfield Road, Shermanbury and Cowfold bination of tall tree cover and before the ridge falls away, catches the eye. the low height of buildings there are views to the south generally - there is little or west of the Iron Age hill set- The main areas of building nothing above 3 storeys. A tlement of Chanctonbury Ring outside Henfield village are few glimpses of St. Peter’s on the South Downs. From West End, New Hall Lane in church tower can be had here various other viewpoints the Small Dole and near Woods Mill. West End in particular is under constant pressure for development, most of which has been resisted. Although there are a good many houses in West End Lane, Lawyers Lane and Stone Pit Lane combined, they all lie within the countryside where national policy discourages new development. Consequently, it is considered that there should be no further development west of Downs Link, apart from minor extensions.

Development along New Hall Lane and the main road frontage to the north belongs more appropriately to Small Dole. Much of it is built up with a variety of dwelling types. However, the western Typical countryside and farmhouse. end of New Hall Lane is more

Page 6 sparsely developed and should remain so. Further to the north beyond the listed Woods Mill, H.Q. of the Sussex Wildlife Trust, is a small pocket of ribbon housing. This frontage also falls within countryside policy.

4 THE CHARACTER OF HENFIELD Developed pattern of Barclays Bank is out of character in the High Street. Henfield village Henfield is compact for its size, roughly triangular in shape and has well defined edges.

The map (centre spread) shows the distinct zones of development identified for the purposes of this Statement.

The village’s built form is tied together by a road system involving two A roads, A281 and A2037, which run broadly north – south towards the Busy High Street looking north. eastern side of the village, and a loop spine comprising oped along the spine loop fol- but vehicles tend to mar the Church Street, Upper Station lowed the coming of the scene. There is a mixture of Road, Station Road, Dropping railway. Since the 1950s the building styles never rising Holmes and Nep Town Road rapid expansion of housing above 3 storeys in height. The linking residential areas to has filled in the area around oldest buildings are on the the west. There is no through and within the loop, east east side, some half-timbered road connection on the behind the High Street and at in construction with later western side of the village. the northern end of the added fronts masking their Weaving its way through the village. Much of the develop- age. Architectural styles range village is a significant foot- ment is suburban in character from medieval through Tudor, path system some of which is of the kind to be found any- Georgian, Victorian and based upon early trackways. where in England. It pays Edwardian to modern. Some scant attention to the charac- of the post war architecture is St. Peter’s church occupies the ter of the original village, undistinguished and fits geographical centre of the apart perhaps from the latest poorly into the street scene. built area. The 3 distinct his- phase of Deer Park. Building materials are gener- toric areas referred to in 2a ally a mixture of red brick, tile above are largely intact and hanging or stucco with roofs have been linked together by A Conservation area and historic in Welsh slate, clay tiles or infill development over the occasionally Horsham stone. core: last 2 centuries, especially the There is no one dominant west side of the High Street The High Street. style, although upper which was for the most part The commercial centre of the windows with small panes open up to the later 1800s. village is linear in form and tend to give some degree of The whole area has been des- straddles the A281. The view unity to the frontages. ignated as a conservation north along the High Street area by Horsham District from the high point opposite Shop fronts are small in scale Council. Linear housing devel- Cagefoot Lane is important, in keeping with the character

Page 7 of a village, apart from One attractive cast finger posts. Stop shop which presents a St. Peter’s Church area blank frontage of large areas This is the oldest part of of glass. Shop fascias and Henfield and is separate from signs too are generally in the commercial centre. The scale with the fronts, with attractive stone and flint- subdued lettering. faced church is the dominant building here set on a high There is no easily identified point in a churchyard featur- central point to the village, ing over 100 yew trees. The although possibly the square churchyard is surrounded by in front of Barclays Bank with several houses with extensive its catalpa tree could pass for gardens dating from the such. The setting of the Medieval period together attractive buildings towards with later Georgian, Victorian Standard signs could be the southern end of High improved. and post war development. Street is marred by the Further south, down Church garage, a car valet building Lane, the former Tan Yard has and open yards which are out been retained as an open of scale and character. area within the village, whilst Street furniture is of standard opposite, the grounds of Red highway design. Dominant concrete lamp standards without a neck do nothing to enhance the appearance of the street scene, are totally out of scale and should be considered for replacement with metal ones on the lines of those in Horsham town centre. There is also scope to The historic White Hart with improve direction signs away Horsham stone roof from the highway standard to

Below – Apple Tree Cottage, Church Lane (14th Century). Note the white picket fence.

Tan Yard pond and Chestnut End from Cagefoot Lane. Oaks add further to the openness. This extensive area of low density development and abundance of trees is a most important feature of Henfield and must be preserved. Any new development, apart from minor extensions to buildings, should be strongly resisted.

Nep Town The third part of the original village within the conservation area is Nep Town (Anglo-Saxon for High Town). Originally a hamlet dating from the 16th century, the district developed during the

Page 8 Typical post-war housing in Northcroft. edge of the area and South houses facing south across the View Terrace are stunning. common. Together they form The light industrial area is the an attractive backdrop to the least attractive feature of this common as seen from the A281 Brighton road. They are Attractive Edwardian cottages compact area and would of varying ages, some dating in Park Road benefit from screening. back to the 1600s, others Victorian era and again after Victorian. A number are World War II. Intimate Henfield Common North listed. twittens run from Nep Town A later extension of the his- Road to the top of the scarp toric core along the High Other parts of the serving a close-knit pattern of Street is the frontage of conservation area Victorian cottages. Elsewhere, Between the 3 historic parts historic houses are intermixed are areas of mixed housing. with later development. Chestnut Way and Panoramic views of the South Chestnut End were built fairly recently on part of the former Downs from the southern Tan Yard. Further south is the quiet backwater of Park Road with Edwardian cottages and houses. Cagefoot Lane is a private road containing a variety of larger houses built of varying materials; here mature trees and shrubs add to the informal setting. This lane is also a busy pedestrian thoroughfare. Further south still, the recent area of housing around Hewitts is Nep Town Road looking west. Nep Town, intimate cottages. actually excluded from the

Below – The later phase of Deer Park is an attractive medley of house styles. Again, white picket fencing is used to good effect. Village Structure N

Key A - Conservation Area Suggested extensions B - London Road estates C - Fabian’s Way Deer Park D - Upper Station Road E - Station Area F - Broomfield G - Barrow Hill H - Furners BB

CC Parsonage M

St.Peter’s High Street Church FF EE AA Other Areas

Nep Town

Page 10 conservation area. area is linked by a series of B The London Road greens and walkways. Estates Parsonage area behind the These estates, all suburban in old Parsonage House also character, straddle the A281, dates from the 1970s and is a extending Henfield into coun- mixture of detached, semi- tryside at its northern end. detached and terraced houses Wantley Four main areas are considered; Manor Way, Wantley and bungalows in a compact Hill Hill Estate, Deer Park and layout. Frontages are open Parsonage. London Road itself plan throughout. is bordered for much of its length by trees and shrubs. In C Fabians Way the summer months, these Staples Barn Areas screen a ribbon of detached The north-west part of the houses and bungalows of village is dominated by local mixed styles set in large plots. authority housing in generous The avenue of mature trees plots. Hedges again feature by Manor Way is a major along some of the road feature of the village and is frontages. There are 3-storey Manor protected by a Tree flats and old persons’ bunga- Way Preservation Order. Selected lows set in open frontages. replacement planting has Pockets of private housing in already begun. Flower Farm Close and Staples Barn Lane are also present. Manor Way area is a develop- This area also contains St ment of bungalows of similar Peter’s Primary School, the style with generally open leisure centre, youth club and frontages. skateboard park on the Kings Wantley Hill is primarily a Field. Together with the post-war local authority cemetery, these form a linked estate. The earlier southern series of open spaces. Views part features similar, wide- out from here to the north fronted houses in large are extensive; Black Down gardens. The road frontages and Leith Hill can be seen HH are bordered by hedges which many miles away when condi- are an important characteris- tions are clear. tic of the estate. The later, northern end is more compact D Upper Station Road and intimate in style with This road, part of the spine squares, garage courts and 3- system and the line of an storey flats.

Deer Park has 2 distinct parts; an earlier informal layout of Henfield Common detached houses of similar North style dating from the late 1990s. The later part is post 2000 and comprises houses of mixed styles and materials, some with dormer windows, clay tiles and steep roof pitches. There has been an attempt here to create a GG development more in keeping with the older character of Henfield. A westerly exten- The sylvan setting of Upper sion is planned. The whole Station Road.

Page 11 ancient trackway, developed feature of the road. around Batts Pond and along after the coming of the Beechings occupies the site of the lane are a major feature railway in the 1860s. It com- the station in a compact close of this quiet corner of the prises a mixture of larger of houses with open village. houses and bungalows of frontages. Station Road itself varying ages and styles set in has a few houses, a news/ F Broomfield extensive gardens well back grocery shop, offices, light The principal feature of this from the road. The street industry and a bus park, while area is the attractive row of scene features mature trees Hollands Lane has other Victorian villas along and shrubs giving a sylvan industrial premises. Broomfield Road and Croft setting to the dwellings. Any Lane. They occupy the west- major loss of this landscaping Lower Station Road/Dropping erly edge of the Henfield here would be regrettable. Holmes is again a mixture of ridge and benefit from exten- houses and bungalows of sive views to the west and E Station area varying styles not dissimilar to south-west. The group can be An area of mixed develop- Upper Station Road. Some on seen from the banks of the ment around the former the south side have excep- River Adur near Stretham railway station closed in the tionally long gardens. Mature Manor. Although not listed 1960s as part of the national trees and shrubs are again a buildings, their retention and railway reorganisation. characteristic of the road and protection is most important. Hollands Road is a road of should be retained. Lower Any extensions should be local authority development Faircox and Chanctonbury sympathetically designed. The dating from the 1920s. It has View are later culs-de-sac of tree and shrub cover along a symmetrical layout with a houses with open frontages. the frontage is also an attrac- central oval green containing Faircox Lane itself links Upper tive element of the street mature trees. An excellent and Lower Station Roads and scene and should be pre- view of the South Downs is a is part footpath. Mature trees served. There is a good case for the inclusion of this frontage in the conservation area.

The rest of Broomfield Road was cut through to Upper Station Road in the 1970s and has been extensively developed with houses and bungalows in a suburban style around the historic buildings

Broomfield Road is typical of ‘70’s development in Henfield.

The telephone exchange with its antennas is among the least Horsham stone & half timbered buildings, attractive buildings in Henfield. a feature of the oldest parts of the village.

Page 12 of Batts Farm and Henfield Mead has unusual slate-hung Place. In contrast to the facades. This listed terrace Victorian villas, the frontages should be considered for are generally open. The inclusion in the conservation whole area contains a number area. of mature trees which make an important contribution to 5 BUILDING the area. MATERIALS G Barrow Hill Historically the oldest build- Climbing up the steep, ings were timber framed with winding hill from Broadmere brick or stucco infilling; there Common, the A2037 passes is little use of stone. There are through a wooded dell. To a few examples of thatched the west lie a group of well- Infilling with herring- roofs and Horsham slabs screened detached houses of bone brickwork between (sandstone slates) in the mixed character with long tudor timber frames. parish. Plain clay tiles are used gardens and enjoying extensively both for roofs and panoramic views of the South Beyond is a regular suburban for wall cladding. The White Downs. At the top of the hill layout of houses and bunga- Hart pub’s frontage is partly to the east a suburban estate lows with open frontages. clad unusually in mathemati- of houses and bungalows There is a view of the High cal tiles, a feature mainly to occupies the site of Barrow Weald from the crest of be found in Lewes, East Hill House, the former home Furners Mead. This develop- Sussex. Slate roofs are more of the botanist William ment was further extended to predominant in Victorian Borrer. Several mature trees form Daisycroft adjoining the buildings. Slate is also planted by him in his garden bowls club and allotments. employed unusually for wall remain in Mill Drive. Furners Lane at the northern cladding in Eastern Terrace end of this group is an and Potwell. Brickwork is H Furners ancient trackway running usually red-brown, sometimes To the east behind the High east-west. An informal ribbon patterned with blue headers. Street lies The Henfield Hall of detached houses and bun- Painted stucco is widely used with public car park. Close by galows of varying shape and in the High Street and there is the telephone exchange, size lies well concealed by are a few examples of flint one of the largest and least high hedges and trees. work around the parish. appealing buildings visually. Eastern Terrace in Furners Outside the historic areas red- Block paving, bollards and planters emphasise the former cart brown brickwork and clay wheel tyre fitting plate in the High Street. tiles are found extensively. However, some development in the 1960s and 70s uses heavy concrete tiles and other colours of brick.

6 TREES, SHRUBS, HEDGEROWS & PONDS Henfield village is blessed with many trees of differing ages, heights and species. They not only help to conceal the village from the surrounding countryside, but also add interest and variety to neigh- bourhoods that would otherwise seem barren. Horsham District Council has

Page 13 Planting or re-planting of forms of paving material in such hedgerows should be new development or as a with indigenous species; ley- replacement for tarmac in the landii coniferous hedging for conservation area. example should be avoided. There are still a few ponds Lamp standards in the village remaining within the village are a mixture of concrete and and a number in the sur- metal. Concrete ones, often rounding countryside. These dating from the 1950s, tend are all important for the well- to be the most numerous. being and flourishing of Whilst being largely mainte- wildlife that depend upon nance free, they are often their presence for existence. clumsy in appearance and do They should be carefully nothing to enhance the street maintained to ensure their scene. The tall posts along the survival. A281 with their lights perched New planting of non- on the top with no necks are indigenous leylandii particularly unattractive and hedgerow. 7 STREET out of keeping with the his- FURNITURE toric setting. The County made a number of Tree Council should be encouraged Preservation Orders (TPOs) on This is a term which refers to to replace these with more older specimens, mainly in the structures within the highway appropriate designs such as historic part of the village. and includes lamp standards, found in the centre of There may be scope for other street signs, electricity supply Storrington. Elsewhere in such orders here and there. posts and wires, bollards, rail- some roads, smaller concrete Trees the subject of a TPO and ings, seats, junction boxes etc. posts have been replaced with those within the conservation In some locations they can metal ones. In the local streets area, all require prior notice create clutter and impair the of the conservation area, the to the District Council of any appearance of streets. gas-style lamp heads should works such as lopping, be retained or replaced with topping or felling. New plant- Paving similar ones when the oppor- ing of indigenous species is The whole of the High Street tunity arises. encouraged, especially in resi- has been re-paved on both dential areas largely devoid of sides in red /brown block trees and shrubs. work by the County Council Signage to give a uniform appearance. Direction signs fall into 2 In the surrounding country- Elsewhere in the village, main categories; traffic signs side within the parish, there where pavements exist, there of various types and pedes- are few woodlands, but are pockets of paving slabs, trian finger posts. The former mostly a good spread of although more often they are tend to be of standard hedgerow trees of varying surfaced in tarmac (black top). highway pattern and need to species and sizes, together Consideration should be given be bold enough for motorists with substantial hedgerows. to other more attractive to see clearly. Large advance Bollards, block paving and railings are all part of the street scene.

Page 14 direction sign boards are a fact of modern life, although they can disfigure both the street scene and countryside.

In Henfield, pedestrian finger post direction signs also tend to be of standard pattern. Even some of the wooden footpath signs have been replaced with standard sheet metal signs. Many towns and villages now have cast metal ones which are more attractive and designed to enhance the street scene. The aim in Henfield should be to replace the existing ones with a more appropriate style and to this end a survey of appropriate signs and locations should be undertaken. Inelegant concrete lamp standards at Golden Square. more attractive ones, perhaps supplies underground when Bollards and barriers help to similar to those used in the opportunity arises. Such separate vehicles and pedes- Horsham town centre. an aim is to be encouraged trians in various locations. particularly within the conser- There is scope here to replace Electricity supply posts and vation area. barriers and bollards with wirescape occur in many locations within the parish, Seats tend to be plentiful especially in older areas as within the village and of a new developments tend to variety of designs, often given have underground supplies. It in memory of a person or an is understood that the elec- organization. They provide a tricity company is proposing welcome relief for shoppers to transfer some overground or for social gossip.

Overhead electricity wire with Typical footpath or ‘twitten’ in Church Lane. gas-type street lighting.

Page 15 8 FOOTPATH L2. Although outside the pro- produce - as part of the posed South Downs National Government’s green initiative. SYSTEM Park, Henfield is located in Henfield has a considerable the Vale of Sussex which L7. Existing hedgerows, trees network of footpaths (or twit- forms part of the magnificent and ponds should be retained tens) linking various parts of vista afforded from the South wherever possible to encour- the village and also with the Downs. Any development age wildlife and for visual surrounding countryside. which might affect this vista reasons. Any hedgerow Some follow the lines of must be very carefully consid- replacement should be with ancient trackways. Their ered. indigenous species, e.g. avoid- surface treatment varies from ing the use of coniferous good to poor, limiting their L3. The biodiversity within plants. use by the disabled. Some are the parish should be pro- also bridleways. There may be tected and enhanced. L8. New development in the scope for improved surfacing Henfield houses the open countryside is strictly and lighting in some situa- Headquarters of the Sussex controlled by national and local planning policies. tions, but the character of a Wildlife Trust which includes Conversion of agricultural and particular footpath should the Sussex Biodiversity Record other rural buildings into never be compromised. A Centre who hold the species dwellings should take account survey to establish such needs and habitat records for the of advice in HDC’s Advice would be beneficial. The West whole of Sussex, including Leaflet No.3 ‘Conversion of Sussex County Council is any surveys undertaken in Agricultural & Other Rural responsible for the mainte- Henfield. Henfield Birdwatch Buildings into Dwellings’. nance of footpaths, although also have extensive records of many lengths are on private the bird population of the L9. Any new buildings that land with merely a right of parish since 2000. Hedgerows, are allowed in the countryside way across. trees and the natural habitat for many species should be should wherever possible maintained and enhanced by provide nesting places for 9 PRINCIPLES & the protection of open spaces some wildlife, particularly GUIDELINES within and surrounding the declining species such as swift, village. swallow, barn owl and bats. This is a key section of the document. It sets down guide- L4. The Parish of Henfield has L10. There should be no lines under a variety of an extensive network of foot- development on the Henfield headings which anyone con- paths. The network through Levels floodplain which templating new development, the village and into the sur- should revert back to a natu- extensions, replacement rounding countryside rally functioning floodplain windows, roofs, boundaries, encourages many people to system. signs etc. should refer to and walk to the shops and enjoy L11. Throughout the whole abide by. They are an essen- the natural environment. It tial aid both to the district should therefore be protected of Henfield and other built-up and parish councils in consid- and well maintained. areas in the parish, the aim ering development proposals should be wherever possible of all forms. L5. The historic commons, to preserve open green space orchards, ancient woodlands, in the form of private front and back gardens, verges and COUNTRYSIDE & ponds and copses all form a allotments. LANDSCAPE PLANNING valuable asset and should be protected, maintained and GUIDELINES enhanced. THE CONSERVATION AREA L1. Views into and out of the C1. Any development within area of the parish, and L6. All grade 1/2 agricultural the conservation area must Henfield village in particular, land, which is limited within preserve or enhance its char- make a significant contribu- the Parish, should be retained acter or appearance. tion to its overall character and the biodiversity associ- and should be both preserved ated with that land enhanced. C2. The High Street is the and respected in the design This is particularly important showcase of the village. New and positioning of any new with the movement towards development and alterations development. the supply of locally grown should respect the character

Page 16 and appearance of adjacent respect materials of adjacent with well screened frontages, buildings in terms of scale, or nearby buildings. everything possible should be building materials, fenestra- Recommended materials to done to avoid loss of tree and tion etc. reflect the predominant char- shrub cover by new and acter of the area are:- plain replanting where necessary. C3. Shop fronts should clay roofing tiles and tile respect the historic character hanging; red-brown hand- SB3. Where the street of the street and should be made brickwork; wooden frontage is deliberately open, preferably of traditional door and window frames. no fencing, hedging or other materials. Shop signs should forms of boundary should be be discrete and preferably use BD4. Architectural details to erected which might other- traditional lettering forms blend with the local character wise destroy the openness. practised by a sign writer. include:- steep roof pitches, Signs should not be backlit, use of hipped gables, small TREES but in some cases discreet dormer windows below ridge T1. Trees the subject of a Tree externally illuminated signs height and with pitched Preservation Order and those may be acceptable. roofs, small-paned windows within the conservation area of Georgian style set in deep C4. In the whole of the iden- should not be lopped, topped reveals for greater shadow or felled without 6 weeks tified St. Peter’s Church area, and relief. preservation of its low density prior written notice having and open character is highly BD5. Innovative designs are been given to Horsham desirable and development to be encouraged, but should District Council. should therefore be restricted still have regard to their sur- T2. Non-TPO trees and those to minor extensions and alter- roundings. outside the conservation area ations only. BD6. The use of sustainable are all important to the setting of the parish and to C5. Consideration should be materials and high standards wildlife; consideration should given by Horsham District of insulation to help reduce always be given to their Council to extending the con- the effects on the climate retention or replacement with servation area to include both should always be considered indigenous species to retain the Victorian dwellings in and solar panels to be more in that setting. Broomfield Road and Croft evidence in all new build. Lane as well as Eastern Advice of HDC’s Building Terrace in Furners Mead. Control officers should always T3. New tree and shrub plant- (See centre-spread map) be sought. ing anywhere within the parish should be encouraged BD7. Special care needs to be BUILDINGS & DESIGN wherever the opportunity taken with alterations to BD1. Extensions to all types presents itself. listed buildings and advice of dwellings should take into should always be sought from account advice set down in ROADS & FOOTWAYS HDC at the outset. Horsham District Council’s R1. This is a village and a Design Guidance Advice rural area and so any road STREET BOUNDARY Leaflet No.1. widening, installation of mini- TREATMENT roundabouts, traffic lights, BD2. The form of an exten- SB1. Where there is a pre- sight lines, speed humps and sion or alteration will be dominance of one type of other such urban features influenced largely by the boundary treatment along- should be strictly limited to scale, design and layout of side the highway, such as essential traffic works only. the existing building and its hedging, picket fencing, brick relationship with surrounding walls, shrubs and trees, any R2. In the already agreed properties. In the majority of replacement should be prefer- future extension of Deer Park, cases it will be most appropri- ably of the same type in order consideration should be given ate if it is subordinate to the to retain the character and to extending the shared original and not overpower it. appearance of the street. vehicle and pedestrian road layout and surfaces designed BD3. Materials should, as far SB2. In roads such as Upper into the existing newer part as possible, match those of and Lower Station Road, of that area. the original building and Furners Lane, Cagefoot Lane

Page 17 R3. Where attractive stone or stray light so that the night 10 APPENDICES block paving exists, e.g. in sky may be enjoyed by all. part of Church Street, The Security lighting would often High Street and Deer Park, benefit from lower wattage Acknowledgements any necessary replacement bulbs. should match the existing, David Hayes DipTP MRTPI provided that safety of pedes- O2. The general aim in all (rtd) – Henfield Community trians is not compromised. development must be to cut Partnership Ltd. waste, use materials and land R4. Grass verges are suscepti- sustainably so that future Don Hollingsworth, ble to damage from vehicles, generations may enjoy the document design – especially in wet weather. benefit, and to do everything Henfield Community Consideration should be given possible to ensure the climate Partnership Ltd. is not further damaged by in the most vulnerable areas, Tony Jackson – Chairman, excessive carbon dioxide such as outside the school and Henfield Community emissions. adjacent to Barclays Bank, to Partnership Ltd. protective higher kerbs, bollards or other means of Peter Sheppard – Chairman, restraint to prevent vehicles Henfield Parish Council. mounting the verges. Philip Hill – Parish Clerk. STREET FURNITURE Members of SF1. Consideration should be Henfield Parish Council. given to replacement of concrete lamp standards in all Paul Rowley MRTPI – roads by more slender metal Head of Strategic & posts in order to improve the Community Planning, street scene. This is particu- Horsham District Council. larly so along the A281. Patrick Griffin BA(Hons) MA SF2. Within the conservation Planning Officer, Strategic & area, lamp heads of the tradi- Community Planning, tional gas lamp appearance Horsham District Council. should be retained, and those of more modern appearance Horsham District Council – replaced by gas-type heads document printing. where the opportunity arises. References SF3. Street direction signs, other than those essential for Henfield Historic Character traffic route direction, should Assessment Report be considered for replace- August 2004 ment by more attractive cast – Roland B. Harris. metal finger post signs. A survey should be undertaken The West Sussex Landscape to establish the need for such low management guidelines – signs. West Sussex County Council 2003. SF4. Wherever possible, grouped signs should be Henfield Parish Forward combined to a single post to Planning Policy – reduce unnecessary clutter Henfield Parish Council 2002. Henfield Bird Watch Report OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL 2005. GUIDELINES O1. Outdoor lighting should Sussex Biodiversity Records – be designed, or altered where Sussex Wildlife Trust 2007. the opportunity arises, to prevent the upward spread of

Page 18 Notes Henfield Community Partnership Limited and Henfield Parish Council c/o Henfield Parish Office, Coopers Way, Henfield, West Sussex BN5 9DB Email: [email protected] www.henfieldcp.org

Henfield Community Partnership Limited, Company No. 5977880. A Company Limited by Guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Registered Office: c/o Henfield Parish Office, Coopers Way, Henfield, West Sussex BN5 9DB. Design and production by Don Hollingsworth, Henfield. Tel: 01273 493754