SPECIAL REPORT: How will Crawley look in 2026?

By gebrey

BEFORE becoming one of eight "new towns" after the Second World War, Crawley and the surrounding villages were home to around 10,000 people.

That number is now more than 100,000 - but Crawley's incredible growth is not finished.

In this special report, ALEX MORRISON looks at the plans and possibilities for our town's future and asks the question - what will Crawley look like in 2026.

PRESSURE to build houses has rarely been higher.

Crawley is required to build 7,500 new homes between 2006 and 2026 and already has 3,000 people waiting for affordable homes.

Plans for two new neighbourhoods are advancing, with several more also possible.

Crawley Borough Council leader Bob Lanzer says the town is capable of supporting the new homes.

He told the News: "People are right to ask how the infrastructure will cope but the history of Crawley new town shows us we can expand and cope with growth.

"It is our commitment, along with West Sussex County Council, to put the necessary infrastructure in place."

Cllr Lanzer said a new hospital remains a key council goal, but he opposes a second runway at Gatwick and new houses east of the M23, preferring the West of Ifield plan for building.

A 2009 council study said no more than two new neighbourhoods, including West of Bewbush, could be built before 2021 because of limits on infrastructure such as water and sewage capacity.

Numerous smaller developments are also being considered within the town, the largest of which is for 250 flats on the former Southern Counties garage site near Ifield Roundabout.

Other likely changes include Manor Royal improvements, the expansion of Gatwick's North Terminal and possible redevelopment of Crawley and Three Bridges railway stations.

The extension of Central Sussex College and a possible university campus for Crawley are also being considered.

Here is a rundown of developments which could change the face of Crawley over the next two decades

 

Second runway at Gatwick

GATWICK is part of a long-running debate over increasing runway capacity around London.

The Government is determined to expand either Heathrow, Gatwick or Stansted, though a legal agreement bars Gatwick expansion before 2019.

Earlier this month, the airport's new owners said they do not have "a shred of interest" in a second runway.

But a local business group urged airport bosses to keep long-term options open.

Jeremy Taylor, from the Gatwick Diamond Business Association, said: "There is no point in debating it and pursuing the point at the moment.

"Long term, though, I think it could create great opportunities for Crawley and local businesses."

East of the M23

MID Sussex District Council, which controls land east of the M23, included plans for a development alongside Crabbett Park in a recent document.

A Crawley Borough Council study found development of the site to be "suitable" and "achievable" provided infrastructure could be put in place.

At present, no detailed plan has been proposed

North East Sector

THE Government is expected to approve this controversial plan when its final decision is announced next month.

In December last year, local government minister John Denham said he was "minded to agree" with planning inspectors who suggested allowing developers to build north of Pound Hill.

Crawley council has opposed the plan, saying homes would be "severely blighted by aircraft noise" if a second runway were ever built at Gatwick.

But Mr Denham said a new runway was unlikely and even if one was built, noise levels would "not necessarily be unacceptable".

The possible new neighbourhood would include 1,900 homes, a community centre, a primary school, shops, and a health centre.

Town Centre North

A £780 million revamp is currently on hold due to the recession.

The original plan included demolishing the town hall and redesigning the area around The Boulevard, bringing in a John Lewis department store, new offices, and a hotel.

But last June the News revealed how councillors were reconsidering the "scope and scale" of the scheme.

Council leader Bob Lanzer said: "The economic downturn has meant we are having to look closely at plans in other creative ways.

"We are doing all that we can to try and make this happen."

West of Bewbush

THIS will soon become Crawley's 14th neighbourhood.

The 2,500-home estate is a joint venture between Crawley and Horsham councils, which officially agreed the scheme in July 2009.

Exact details are unknown because no planning application has yet been submitted, though one is expected this year.

The neighbourhood, which has not been named, will include a shopping parade, a health centre, nursery and primary schools and a community centre.

Transport improvements, including a new train station, will also be considered.

West of Ifield

AN AREA has been identified for a 2,500-home neighbourhood.

As with the West of Bewbush development, the land is next to Crawley but belongs to Horsham District Council.

The two councils have not agreed a plan for this land, though they are expected to discuss it in the future.

A council study said development could be "unachievable" unless a relief road is built on the west of Crawley.