New proposals for housing at C.H.

Richard Ruck · Post by **Richard Ruck** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 4:38 pm

From the West Sussex County Times website:

Homes plan for Christ's Hospital

Proposals to create a retirement community with close-care and nursing facilities have been put forward by Christ's Hospital.

Working with the school's property advisors Christ's Hospital has put forward some initial ideas for the development of a new-style retirement settlement on the school's land close to Christ's Hospital railway station.
In an effort to safeguard the local station and sustainability of the community, Christ's Hospital has submitted the proposal to Horsham District Council (HDC) for possible inclusion in its Local Development Framework for the period up to 2018.

But the proposal â€“ one of the 'Alternative Development Sites' currently under public consultation by HDC â€“ could prove hugely controversial with environmental groups.

The scheme outlines plans to build a new retirement community with close-care and nursing facilities on part of Christ's Hospital's land known as 'The Warren'.

Situated to the north of the school's grounds, The Warren is very close to Christ's Hospital railway station and near the recent housing development of North Complex and the older Bluecoat Pond development.

With Bluecoat Pond already forming a small retirement community, the proposed development would provide additional facilities including close-care and nursing.

The retirement scheme would help support Christ's Hospital's long-term aim to increase the usage of the railway station and ensure its continued viability.

Although only a proposal at this stage, Christ's Hospital said it would continue to promote the concept with the aim of achieving the development of the village over the longer term.

"The railway station is hugely important to the school and as well as making the school accessible to its many disadvantaged pupils, forms the key to the long-term sustainability of the local community," said clerk of Christ's Hospital, Michael Simpkin.

The full report is on the front page of the W.S.C.T.

Mrs C. · Post by **Mrs C.** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 4:41 pm

And as usual, it is revealed in the press during a school holiday.......

Richard Ruck · Post by **Richard Ruck** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 4:44 pm

I have to say that the station looks pretty well used during the week anyway, judging by the number of cars parked all the way up to the road......

Mrs C. · Post by **Mrs C.** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 4:48 pm

"Horsham Parkway" !!

Richard Ruck · Post by **Richard Ruck** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 4:50 pm

Mrs C. wrote:"Horsham Parkway" !!

That does seem to be the case! All those nice shiny 4WDs....

westguncopse · Post by **westguncopse** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 8:18 pm

To be fair, it is a rundown area and a well developed retirement village will raise capital for the school and help safe guard the future of the station. I believe that a major developer offered to build a new station in Broadbridge Heath on the assumption that it won a major housing contract.

All that being said, this seems to be in the early stages and I doubt a hard hat will be seen for a few years.

Great Plum · Post by **Great Plum** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 1:41 pm

I guess this is for the goods yard area isn't it?

westguncopse · Post by **westguncopse** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 1:47 pm

Yes - the woods near it too. Basically the scrubland behind the old club room, which will be demolished too I presume.

Great Plum · Post by **Great Plum** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 1:51 pm

I guess the school will have to find a new place for their maintenence staff...

Richard Ruck · Post by **Richard Ruck** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 3:21 pm

westguncopse wrote:Yes - the woods near it too. Basically the scrubland behind the old club room, which will be demolished too I presume.

This must be the old Estate Club, (or Bockers' Club as we knew it).

I know it's been mentioned before, but does anyone know when / why it closed?

Great Plum · Post by **Great Plum** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 3:47 pm

Richard Ruck wrote:
westguncopse wrote:Yes - the woods near it too. Basically the scrubland behind the old club room, which will be demolished too I presume.
This must be the old Estate Club, (or Bockers' Club as we knew it).

I know it's been mentioned before, but does anyone know when / why it closed?

It must have closed in the mid 90's because when Mr Plum (senior) was in charge of Peele A he was able to use the old seats from there in a common room...

Ruthie-Baby(old a/c) · Mon Feb 20, 2006 4:05 pm

Why would more retirement housing increase station usage?

In my limited experience, older people are driven places by their children in their children's cars, they do not use trains.

Just think, in 20/50 years time we could be back living at CH...

What a scary thought

AKAP · Post by **AKAP** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 4:21 pm

Ruthie-Baby wrote:Why would more retirement housing increase station usage?

In my limited experience, older people are driven places by their children in their children's cars, they do not use trains.

Just think, in 20/50 years time we could be back living at CH... What a scary thought

Retirement home could be run on house lines. Even more scary.

Richard Ruck · Post by **Richard Ruck** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 4:22 pm

Hmmm, perhaps Spoonbill will be booking his place!

Ruthie-Baby(old a/c) · Mon Feb 20, 2006 4:22 pm

AKAP wrote:Retirement home could be run on house lines. Even more scary.

Would we have to do trades?