The team at Our Place knows what it takes to deliver a project of the scale and ambition of Kingswood - because that is exactly what we have done for the last 20 years. Whether it’s Poundbury in Dorset, Rousillion Park Chichester, Chapelton in Aberdeenshire or Tornagrain in Inverness, the team that we have assembled includes some of the best Masterplanners, delivery specialists, transport consultants, ecologists and talented individuals in the country, all driven by a common passion to deliver great places. Click here to find out more about our team.

But we haven't just delivered homes. For more than two decades our collective experience has convinced us that creating places rather than just homes is the right solution to the housing crisis.

Unlike volume housebuilders, Our Place was not set up with the purpose of simply building as many houses as possible each year to profit shareholders. We were set up on the principle that if homes need to be built, then they must be built as part of mixed-use places that people want to both live and work in – places that are special, sustainable and beautiful.

Poundbury shows us what can be achieved. At Poundbury, typically local medium sized builders, were employed to build phases in accordance with the Masterplan and design standards of the landowner, using building licences rather than selling the land freehold and losing control, with a key goal to support local businesses and provide apprenticeships and training opportunities. Kingswood is assembled into one land ownership to enable that same approach to phased placemaking to be implemented here in Horsham. Find out here how the Poundbury model has guided our approach to Kingswood.

We believe that for the landscape of new settlements in the UK to be carved in a more sympathetic and sustainable way, the monopoly of volume housebuilders and land supply mechanisms needs to continue to be broken down and the structure of the UK housing delivery model shifted further towards a more responsible, legacy landowner perspective.

As master developer and majority freehold landowner of Kingswood, Our Place will therefore steer and shape every aspect of the project, and this control will ensure the development is completed to the standard and quality that has been envisioned. This approach will mean that the ambitions and expectations of all stakeholders are met, if not surpassed.

Who is going to live in Kingswood? Where will they come from?

Kingswood will provide a wide range of homes, employment and amenity space for everyone, providing for individuals and families of all ages and means. We do envisage that many of the new residents will be from Horsham District and the surrounding area, with Kingswood providing them with the homes and employment they need to keep themselves, their families and livelihoods in the area.

How much are the homes going to cost?

Housing to meet the needs of a diverse and changing population will be provided. This will include homes aimed at single people leaving full-time education and who may be setting up a small business with the support of Chichester College, homes for young families, homes for older families who may be moving back to Horsham, homes for right-sizers and for older people who may have care needs. We will also be looking to provide private rented properties (PRS) for those not able or not wishing to buy. 35% of all homes provided will be affordable homes.

We will be working with the Council to ensure that we are meeting the needs of the existing community as well as new residents, ensuring that homes are genuinely affordable relative to income levels.  We are aware of the affordability issues facing HDC and building more homes with a wider range of tenure type and size will help with affordability.

How is Kingswood different to competing schemes?

Working with our strategic partners we have created a Settlement Strategy which is focussed on phased placemaking and not phased construction.  It demonstrates how Kingswood will be delivered and phased growing from a village to small Sussex town. It provides flexibility for future demand and trends and can accommodate the needs of residents at different life-stages who we hope will make Kingswood their home. The strategy shows how each phase can be self-sustaining with a mix of lifestyle amenities, social infrastructure, culture and green space, all delivered to support a thriving lifestyle. During each phase Kingswood will feel like a self-sustaining place and not a remote housing development.

Do we need a new development at all?

The government has said that in order to meet demand, Horsham District Council needs to plan for and facilitate delivery of up to 1,400 homes each year. Our Place knows that new developments are often difficult to integrate within localities. They are often not befitting of the place and can put pressure on existing local public services and amenities.

Instead, Our Place wishes to deliver the right response to the need for more houses in a way that is responsible, sustainable and sympathetic to this part of West Sussex.

Are there other options to a new community?

The most likely alternative solutions to Horsham’s housing need are the continued development and expansion of existing towns and villages. Our Place believe that development in this way creates urban sprawl leading to disconnection and adds pressure to already stretched services and amenities and infrastructure.

We believe people will be happier and more fulfilled in places like Kingswood with the community’s everyday needs answered in a walkable new place.

What about the other developments which are going up in the District? Are they not enough?

The developments which are currently being built in the area have already been accounted for the area’s required target; however further homes are now required to meet with the government’s requirements. That is why we believe Horsham has a significant opportunity to do something different and better at Kingswood. Rather than burden existing communities with further housing, with Our Place’s expertise and experience, we intend to build a brand new self-sustaining walkable community in the heart of the District.

How will the high street at Kingswood work?

We understand that traditional high streets are struggling, so we have created a Town Centre Strategy to ensure sustainable growth.  The strategy will be brought together in three stages and will be community and artisan, not large retail focussed. It will be delivered and programmed in a considered way that allows it to morph and flex and be sustained over time.

As Kingswood grows it will bring people of all ages, incomes and backgrounds together around a village centre and network that supports local retailers, farmers, producers, industries and businesses that has the affordable, seasonal, sustainable, practical and convenient resources the small town needs.

What shops will there be?

At Kingswood we will be looking to connect to, and integrate with, existing local businesses, producers, entrepreneurs and stakeholders to ensure we create a town centre appropriate for a community of people of all ages and that provides a platform for economic opportunity and growth.

We will be creating a community-led town centre that is a mixture of convenience and aspiration, and we are already in discussions with local businesses and suppliers about opportunities at Kingswood.

We will also create three local neighbourhood centres, which will each have a small number of shops and workplaces to meet the daily needs of people living at Kingswood.

What is Kingswood Works (KWW)?

Kingswood Works will deliver contemporary light industrial, co-working and incubator space. It is our vision that KWW will offer a range of employment opportunities, with the new development providing flexible and affordable space and business support as well as the facilities and amenities for micro, small and medium sized enterprises, and the modern buildings and infrastructure needed for larger businesses and organisations.  

We intend to focus on the developing rural economy, attracting occupiers from agri-tech, agriculture, and food production, logistics and sales, on engineering and technical businesses services and on the associated skills that will support this diverse network, working in partnership with Brinsbury College.

What about the impact a development of this size will have on Pulborough and Billingshurst?

It is our intention that everything created at Kingswood will complement, and not compete with Billingshurst and Pulborough, including local retail, library, cultural services and outlets for food and drink.

Retail and other services will be provided in partnership with existing local businesses to support the local economy.  This reduces the risk of the success of Kingswood having a negative impact on existing settlements.

How will Kingswood affect the existing settlement at Adversane?

Kingswood has been planned to respect and complement Adversane, with a series of measures in place to ensure that Adversane’s identity is not impinged upon. The area of Kingswood close to Adversane respects the local landscape features, such as the existing pond and woodland, and will follow a low-density housing pattern. Existing residents at Adversane will benefit from the new facilities being built at Kingswood, including sport, recreation, work, shopping and dining out. 

What are the sustainability credentials of Kingswood?

We all know we have a responsibility to find alternative solutions to our reliance on petrol and diesel cars. Kingswood will be a walkable neighbourhood, with everyday amenities situated within 5mins of more than 80% of homes – there will also be comprehensive cycle paths, cycle hire, an E-bike for every home and shared and in the future, shared autonomous vehicles 

In addition to the comprehensive domestic and employment EV charging infrastructure (including that for the proposed Business Hub), ultra-rapid / rapid EV charging points will be integrated across the site.  These charging points will be prominently and conveniently located at key sites around Kingswood, including the town centre; in the proposed village off-street car park; at car club parking hubs; and other locations.

Over the consultation period we will be taking a proactive approach to our environment and sustainable responsibilities as we look for opportunities to collaborate to provide further solutions to the challenges we face globally and the footprint we leave behind locally. 

We will also be creating new bus routes and services and have safeguarded land for a new railway station for the future. But, ultimately we are committed to creating a live-work place in which people can live fulfilling, healthy and enjoyable lives without the need to leave their community to answer those everyday needs. 

Digital transport service platforms (including information relating to availability of shared cycles; Uber-style lift services; bus services to Billingshurst, Pulborough and Horsham etc.) will be developed to support the residents and users of Kingswood facilities to manage their travel demand.  Provision of this on-line service can be made in every home and community facility within the site.

How will you ensure Kingswood does not damage the natural landscape of West Sussex, and how will you mitigate impact where it occurs?

We consider ourselves long-term custodians and take responsibility to proactively nurture, enhance and future-proof the places we create by looking for opportunities to collaborate and pioneer to provide solutions for the challenges we face globally and the footprint we leave behind locally.

At Kingswood we have inherited a beautiful natural landscape, and as landowners we realise and appreciate its value as well as the opportunity to fully utilise and curate these assets to encourage healthy outdoor lifestyles and provide activities for the community to flourish.

Although the site is not designated for its natural beauty, we appreciate that it contains landscape features and attributes which are valued locally. Proposals will seek to provide a landscape-led masterplan which protects these features and ensures the new development responds to its unique landscape setting. 

Landscape proposals will provide appropriate buffers to respond to those most likely to be affected by the new development in their views and will maximise opportunities for all to enjoy improved access to a range of uses within the green networks within the new neighbourhood.   

Our Place will also ensure that the green networks and spaces at Kingswood are accessible to all and are fully utilised to provide different places, spaces and opportunity for community interaction for all the age groups, for residents, workers and neighbouring communities. In this respect we see many more people enjoying the natural benefits of the place than do currently.

We are planning to enhance the local ecology as a result of our development, through careful creation of habitats to support the existing and new flora and fauna.

Will Kingswood be at risk of flooding?

A comprehensive flood risk assessment has been carried out and has determined that the proposed development at Kingswood has a low risk of flooding. Strategies will be put in place to reduce run-off from the site to lower than existing green-field run-off rates, reducing this risk even further. The Kingswood site is not comparable with other sites currently being considered in Horsham.

How will the plan respect existing biodiversity?

We have undertaken a number of ecological surveys across the land, which is predominantly agricultural farmland. This type of land is generally considered to be of low ecological value, being intensively managed to support agricultural processes. We have sought to preserve areas of higher ecological value, such as hedgerows and trees, and will retain and respect the ancient woodland on site. 

Where we have identified specific species at Kingswood, our approach first and foremost has been to work around them and enhance their natural habitats.

Working with the existing landscape and its natural assets underpins our placemaking philosophy. All ancient woodland is being retained and we will prioritise the protection of trees across the site where possible. Research has shown that trees within developments have a positive impact on the quality of life of its residents and the retention of them is crucial to our strategy.

Are you going to be building a new station?

We are currently exploring options with Network Rail and they are looking at the impact of new stations along the Arun Valley Line. We have safeguarded land for a station and are committed to working with Network Rail and WSCC.

We already have to sit in traffic and additional cars here will cause grid-lock.

The Transport Strategy for Kingswood Village aims to enable the majority of journeys to take place within the village on foot.  It includes a range of measures to support active travel to foster community interaction and well-being and help address the worsening inactivity and obesity crises.  

The principles of community living and the design of Kingswood need to be considered in a “decide and provide” transport planning context, rather than an historic “predict and provide” approach.  This is because the latter will not take into account fully the innovative nature and scope of the development, which is based upon a community whose needs can be met from all the services and jobs that will be created and supported on-site.  It is not intended that the traditional work commute will occur due to the number of jobs located on-site. 

Where is everyone going to park?

We will be providing parking in accordance with Guidance on Parking at New Developments published in draft by WSCC in March 2019.  First and foremost we are bringing forward a walkable neighbourhood with improved public transport links that will minimise the need for car ownership.

What are the timings for Kingswood?

The proposals at Adversane are one of the options put forward by Horsham District Council (HDC) in the Horsham District Council Local Plan Regulation 18 Consultation document.  This Regulation 18 document was consulted on between the 17th February and 30 March 2020. Working with HDC and other key stakeholders we anticipate submitting a hybrid planning application in 2021. This timetable reflects HDC’s Local Development Scheme (LDS) which sets the schedule for the production of the Local Plan. Assuming planning is granted the first phase of construction of homes will begin in Q1 2023.

You say Kingswood will be a walkable-town, but people will still have cars. How do you intend to deal with car parking?

Car parking will be provided to meet the demand however first and foremost Kingswood will be designed to promote walking and other sustainable travel choices, resulting in less demand for car parking than might be typical of a development of its size. There are many aspects to the design which will enable this but examples include the short and pleasant walking routes to the neighbourhood and town centres, the accessibility to public transport and the promotion of cycling via facilities such as cycle parking, cycle hire service, workplace facilities and a commitment to provide an e-bike for every home.

Parking will be provided in accordance with ‘Guidance on Parking at New Developments’, published by West Sussex County Council in September 2020. This document sets out WSCC’s recommended approach to parking in new residential and non-residential developments and is used to inform the design of new developments, including the quantum, type and location of parking.

Parking at Kingswood will be provided in a combination of on-plot, on-street and courtyard parking, which will be planned in ways that suit and respond to context, and which minimise the visual dominance of the car. 

Specific forms of car parking will include garages, car ports and car barns, as well as informal parking provision on mews and lanes. Serving both residential and non-residential purposes, courtyard parking will be a key part of our strategy to manage car parking and reduce the dominance of the car.

Parking will be planned and used as a traffic calming measure. Perpendicular or echelon formation on-street parking can calm traffic through the introduction of ‘side friction’ to a streetscape, although the use of this strategy will be balanced against the visual impact of car parking.

Details of parking requirements and arrangements will be specified at planning application stage and controlled by the Council through design codes and reserved matters applications.

What forms of public transport will you be providing to prevent excessive car usage?

Kingswood has been designed to prevent excessive car usage and promote sustainable travel choices. Public transport infrastructure is an important part of this strategy.

The masterplan reflects an aspiration to provide access to public transport within an easy reach of people’s homes, and over 80% of homes at Kingswood will be located within 400m of a bus stop. To meet initial demand, we propose to divert the existing ‘100’ bus route through Kingswood, connecting it to Burgess Hill and Horsham. We also propose to provide a shuttle bus between Kingswood and Billingshurst, to increase connectivity and provide access to Billingshurst Station. More bus routes will be provided as the development grows, to provide reliable, frequent bus services connecting the site and local area.

Key roads through the site, for example those to the two schools, have been designed to accommodate buses and coaches.

We also propose to invest in improved bus infrastructure at Billingshurst Station to accommodate the new bus services. A lower-traffic-volume cycle route from Kingswood to Billingshurst Station is also planned along Marringdean Road, to promote sustainable travel and reduce the need to use private vehicles to access Billingshurst Station.

It is proposed that a MaaS (Mobility as a Service) platform will be enabled to give residents and other users the freedom to create end‐to‐end trip planning, booking, electronic ticketing and payment services across different transportation modes

There is also a longer term ambition for Autonomous Vehicles (AV) and Our Place are committed to providing a masterplan design and facilities to enable this form of transport within (and connections to) the development and which will rival the private car

Further reference is made to number of cycling proposals / commitments including cycle parking, storage, non‐standard cycles availability, cycle hire service and workplace facilities and an e‐bike for every home, and e-charging to enable e-bikes and e-scooters and car sharing facilities 

Although not part of the masterplan, Our Place has been promoting the construction of a new railway station at Kingswood. Discussions with Network Rail are ongoing and we have reserved land within the masterplan for development as a station, with sufficient space to meet rail industry standards.

What will happen to the existing level crossing when Kingswood is built? 

In the immediate vicinity of the site and Adversane, the new junctions at the A29 and Adversane Lane, which provide access into Kingswood, will benefit traffic currently using the existing level crossing, by providing a bypass and allowing the dangerous level crossing to be removed. Clearly, as well as the traffic flow improvements, there will be significant benefits for the community arising from the removal of the existing crossing

What measures will be put in place to ensure that Kingswood does not cause additional congestion on surrounding roads?

Mitigation measures will be implemented in advance of being needed

In close consultation with West Sussex County Council (WSCC), a comprehensive review of the road network in the region began in 2018 with more detailed work being undertaken since January 2021. This has included detailed analysis of 20 existing junctions throughout the area. This work has established 10 junctions suffer no material affect from Kingswood, 7 junctions showed some effect and we have established a mitigation strategy involving WSCC to offset this impact. The remaining three junctions are being worked on with WSCC and they are comfortable with the work being undertaken and the hoped for outcome. Agreed measures will be implemented in advance of being needed and will overall result in an improvement in traffic flows and congestion.

Significant improvement to the operation of mitigated junctions

In terms of the A29, it has been established that mitigation measures will be required at several locations along this route and we are pleased that a mitigation strategy has been identified to address these issues. These mitigation measures will involve a range of measures including highway widening, additional traffic lanes and traffic control measures such as signalling. In addition to these junctions there are pre-existing problems at three junctions which are already operating at or above capacity; Our Place has now identified physical improvements that can be made to improve traffic flows and congestion at these locations and has had a series of meetings with WSCC to explore these. Our Place, its technical team and WSCC, will be taking this work and analysis to the next level over coming weeks with the aim of achieving formal sign-off and approval from WSCC. Given the pre-existing nature of the issues at these three junctions any solution needs to be a collaborative effort between Our Place and WSCC.

Kingswood - Highways Improvements, Bridges and a new Station

Two new junctions will be provided on the road network to access Kingswood, these being a new roundabout on the A29 that provides traffic and other road users access to Kingswood over a new bridge across the railway, and a new junction on Adversane Lane. These measures enable the closure of the high-risk rail level crossing on Adversane Lane, delivering a significant safety benefit and also improving capacity / flow at the Adversane crossroads.

In addition, Our Place has committed to a bespoke transport strategy which, from the outset, will deliver specified improvements to the existing public transport system in and around the Pulborough – Billingshurst corridor. This includes early and sustained investment to increase the frequency and extent of bus and shuttle services and other alternatives to private car use – improved walking and cycling routes, car clubs across the site (shared mobility), utilising existing journey planning technology (MaaS, taxi apps etc.), installation of new cycle routes and safeguarding a site for a new railway station.