9 March 2021 15:02 PM
In a major step forward in its plans for an 18.6 acre brownfield site in Horsham, West Sussex County Council has appointed Muse Developments as its development partner.
Muse, a subsidiary of Morgan Sindall Group, describes itself in its latest annual report as a “UK-wide urban regeneration business specialising in the delivery of complex mixed use development projects, predominantly in town and city centre locations”. In 2019 it reported a pre-tax profit of £19m on revenue of £118.9m.
The company will lead the work to develop the Horsham Enterprise Park at the site of the former Novartis Pharmaceuticals works on Parsonage Road. The council bought the site for £16m in 2016.
Bob Lanzer, Cabinet Member for Economy and Corporate Resources, said: “By bringing in a key development partner, the message is clear that we as a county are focused on economic recovery and growth, supporting residents, businesses and encouraging future investment. This supports our Economy Reset Plan to help support and boost economic recovery in response to the pandemic.”
Muse is expected to submit a planning application in the autumn for the residential phase of the development, the building of 300 homes on one third of the site s, including provision of 35 percent affordable housing. Thereafter, the plan contemplates up to 25,000 square metres of employment space – such as offices, research and development uses, workshop space – on the other two thirds of the site, including a new enterprise hub or collaborative workspace for micro and small businesses. Community facilities for convenience shopping and other services are also included.
According to the council`s procurement document, the value of the project is £200m and likely to take 3 years.
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