News

Springfield Park – The Wall

rhodahattonLeave a comment

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

Supporting local projects

rhodahattonLeave a comment

Many will have seen through our newsletters that HTNC supports local projects and at our recent AGM, we were delighted to hear from residents in Milton Road. They shared with those present the results of their initiative for wooden planters to improve their street – not only has the project certainly done this, the planning and development brought the community together and HTNC were delighted to have played their part in helping to fund the resources!

Recognising Trafalgar’s local volunteers and businesses

rhodahattonLeave a comment

At the AGM in June 2024, Tony Franklin (HDC Councillor) presented the Leonard Crosbie Awards for Service to the Community to:

The 2nd Horsham Scout Group, a youth group run entirely by volunteers, which has leaders, trustees and helpers who generously give their time in the Trafalgar area by offering 8 different sections of scouting to young people from 4 -18 years. In addition to weekly meetings where scouting activities are enjoyed, the group takes part in various community projects and gives our local young people the necessary ‘skills for life’.  Caroline Mc Curragh is a team leader.

Ann Turner, who almost single-handedly looks after the Trafalgar Recreation Ground central flowerbed and supports the Trinity Church community in many ways. Although she is now in her 80s, Ann helps with Holy Trinity Church Gardening Club, with the Holy Trinity Church Cleaning, with the Trinity Church Players the Trinity Tots. She also knits items for premature babies. Ann has only lived in the area for around 4-years but has thrown herself into community projects with contagious enthusiasm and resilience, embracing others with her kindness, chuckles and chat, Knit and Natter at Horsham Library, making teas for the Trinity pantomime rehearsals, helping the children with Messy Church, and organises and runs the Trinity Ladies’ evening group.  She is always cheerful and wise, has a kind word for everyone. She is a real asset to our community.

Tony Kneale from Tony Kneale Cars on Victory Road who has providing a great service for 30-40 years. Tony’s business is well respected and recommended by many of the residents within the Horsham Trafalgar area as a trusted, reliable, long standing, hardworking member of our community. Sady Tony was unable to join us and have a photo taken.

Boldings Brook Conservation Group which was founded in 1997 by a small band of interested Redford Avenue neighbours who take responsibility, in conjunction with Horsham District Council, for maintaining the free flow of water in the Brook and preserving the wildlife corridor from Warnham Nature Reserve along the Red River to Onion Island near Irwin Drive. Regular work over almost 30 years has involved cutting back and composting overgrown vegetation from the brook and its banks, litter picking and wildlife surveys. One-off projects include the securing of a grant for the construction of the Millennium Bridge on the Riverside Walk in 2000. Meeting once a month from September to March, work parties usually comprise around a dozen helpers. Daphne Mitchell is the lead.

Hannah Urpeth willingly and regularly helped out over several weeks in the summer term 2023 to sort out the raised allotment beds at Trafalgar School and planted, weeded and watered with the children alongside Morag of Sussex Green Living.  She also worked on her own initiative, tidying up the central courtyard area within the school, single-handedly clearing, tidying and planting.