Dear Peter Lamb MP
I am writing as a concerned constituent regarding the proposed West of Ifield development being pursued by Homes England, strongly believing this government-backed property developer is not fit for purpose and cannot be trusted to deliver on promises made at their exhibition last Wednesday [April 30].
I urge you to raise these concerns in Parliament and suggest a cross-party public inquiry into this government quango’s activities West of Ifield.
Here are seven reasons why Homes England are not fit for purpose and cannot be trusted:
1. Lack of Local Accountability
Homes England operates outside the framework of local democratic control and has failed to engage transparently with Crawley Borough Council or local residents.
2. Environmental Harm
The development would destroy ancient meadows and biodiverse habitats, with no convincing ecological mitigation plan in place.
3. Planning Framework Conflicts
The masterplan undermines both the National Planning Policy Framework and contributed to the demise of the Horsham Local Plan, overriding local planning decisions.
4. Misuse of Public Land and Public Money
Publicly owned land is being used for speculative, profit-driven development, and public money is being wasted to an astonishing degree.
5. Infrastructure Shortfalls
The proposed scale far exceeds what our current infrastructure can handle—there are no viable, adequate plans to address such issues as roads, schools or water.
6. Threat to Heritage
The ancient Parish, including heritage sites of ecological, historical, and archaeological significance, have been staggeringly ignored.
7. Erosion of Local Identity
This ancient parish, with a history spanning over 1,000 years, faces cultural and community erasure under the weight of urban sprawl.
Given these seven reasons, I urge you to:
- Call for a Parliamentary review/Public inquiry of Homes England’s West of Ifield operations;
- Support the cancellation of Homes England’s speculative planning application West of Ifield.
Thank you for giving attention to these serious concerns.
Yours sincerely
Richard W. Symonds MCIPD
The Ifield Society
Ifield Street, Ifield Village
Crawley, West Sussex