Background
Part of the boundary wall to the Springfield Park estate on North Parade collapsed at the end of 2023.
It is recognised that this is causing a significant degree of concern amongst residents, and real inconvenience, as access along the west side of the North Parade has not been available following the collapse.
There are several factors that impact upon the re-instatement of the wall including planning applications, design, tendering, contracting and construction timelines as well as how the work is to be funded.
The wall has a listed status which means that it must be re-instated and as far as possible, using the original materials. In addition, any new construction materials (e.g. mortar) must comply with specific requirements that match original materials specifications.
Over the course of the last few months, several activities have been ongoing. Firstly, a large tree needed to be removed and upon approval of the planning permission that was required, this has taken place.
A full survey of the site to assess how to reinstate the wall has also been completed and an outline design solution has been developed. This will include a reinforced retaining wall structure which would then be faced with the original stone wall materials.
Following the design completion, a planning application has been sought to approve the plans for re-construction and this application was approved on 9th July 2024.
Going Forward
There will now be a tendering process. Contractors will submit bids to undertake the work, and this will be followed by a selection and contracting process.
All of this will take time and the availability of contractors to undertake the work will also be a factor in determining the timelines for starting the work.
It is likely that the above processes and activities, coupled with some season dependant construction constraints, will mean that rebuilding is unlikely to commence before Spring 2025.
Regarding funding, the liability for the costs of the re-instatement work to the Springfield Park estate wall on North Parade is not the responsibility of Horsham District Council or residents other than the owners of the wall itself.
Anthony Frankland
HDC Liberal Democrate Councillor – Trafalgar Ward
Horsham Trafalgar Neighbourhood Council 