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RE: Horsham Park Hotel!!

DotNetWebs — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 10:33:36 GMT

Thanks for that glad to see the site is back and updated. I have edited your post to make the link active.

RE: Horsham Park Hotel!!

Horshamite — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 08:21:52 GMT

The Friends of Horsham Park website is now working again

www.horshampark.org

RE: Horsham Park Hotel!!

MikeH — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 21:30:15 GMT

I can see where Horsham would benefit from a modern hotel, but what part of "let's pave over Horsham Park" sounds like a good idea?

RE: Horsham Park Hotel!!

DotNetWebs — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 14:34:19 GMT

I must admit I too initially missed the point that the original plan was to return the nursery sites to open parkland.

Having said that, and also having seen the proposed design in the WSCT, I still would be in favour of the idea provided a cast iron guarantee was put in place that no further development would take place in the park.

I fully understand the objections and agree that the ideal scenario would be to use an alternative town centre site that is acceptable to all.

Whatever the outcome I am grateful to Gordon Brown for bringing attention to the issue that Horsham desperately needs a reasonably sized, modern hotel.

ps Does anybody know what happened to the Friends of Horsham Park website? Their domain is currently displaying insurance ads

RE: Horsham Park Hotel!!

Horshamite — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 22:39:51 GMT

With respect, Task17 misses the point about the current nursery buildings. Yes, they are old and life-expired and the plan is to remove them now the nursery has moved out. The Council's draft management plan for the park would return the area to parkland with new trees etc.. So what is now a dark and uninviting area would be restored and available for everyone to enjoy.

Once the parkland is built on it can never be replaced. There are plenty of alternative locations for a hotel. This suggestion would give the developers a cheap "greenfield" plot at the expense of future generations of Horsham residents.

RE: Horsham Park Hotel!!

getaway — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 23:56:07 GMT

Horsham needs a decent hotel, the Premier Travel Tavern is always seems to be full when I've tried to arrange accommodation for visitors. Even if it were open, The Kings Head is not an option, when I stay away on business I want modern, comfortable, decent plumbing and straight floors - paying a premium to stay in a quaint old building does not interest me.

e.g Manning Heath Hotel - all very nice but it takes 20 minutes for the hot water to get through!

RE: Horsham Park Hotel!!

Task17 — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 23:02:36 GMT

Let's face it. The old nursery building is not going to win any design awards. My guess is, it is so old it is riddled with asbestos. A real benefit to the town!

I have always thought that this part of the park is very dark and uninviting. I would welcome any improvement.

Who owns the land? Is it HDC. If so, why not lease it and guarantee an income from a hotel to benefit the town and us local tax payers? Put it on a rolling lease where the lease can be reviewed and the rent increased as time goes on?

I agree with DNW. The town needs a quality hotel and it would bring alot of trade and jobs with it.

RE: Horsham Park Hotel!!

Horshamite — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 08:43:31 GMT

There are examples around the country of redundant offices being successfully converted into hotels and we certainly have plenty of empty office space. The Kings Head would probably only meet a small part of the demand even if it ever reopens as a hotel. But build in the Park? Never. The Pavilions - a much used public facility - already looms over the Park and the Council's own proposals to return the nursery site to parkland is undoubtedly the right way forward. I had never heard of this Gordon Brown before. It is amazing that an elected councillor can have been so invisible and so completely out of touch with the feelings of his electorate.

RE: Horsham Park Hotel!!

Sat, 26 Jan 2008 08:18:14 GMT

I think that Royal & Sun Alliance are moving out of one of their buildings; that would be big enough to convert to a hotel - and be nearer to town than the old nursery site

RE: Horsham Park Hotel!!

karen-hearts — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 12:44:26 GMT

Very good post DotNetWebs, you are convincing me of the idea lol =0}

RE: Horsham Park Hotel!!

DotNetWebs — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 11:47:18 GMT

Some great points have already been made in this thread:

Is there a demand for a large hotel in Horsham? - I would say categorically yes! Last year I made a post expressing my frustration at not being able to find accommodation in Horsham for some visitors I was receiving: Horsham Hotels - More are Needed.

In the thread mentioned above Brian (Dancemix) mentions weddings. I got married in Horsham 3 Years ago. We had a large number of guests arrive from around the country and abroad. It was IMPOSSIBLE to find them all decent accommodation within walking distance of the town centre. We ended up farming them out to guest houses all around the district. The logistics of trying to bring them to together for the wedding itself and other events we planned was a nightmare.

Would the reopening of the Kings Head meet the demand? Sadly I think not. I would love to see the Kings Head reopen and I hope that it does. I used to often enjoy lunch in there or an evening drink. Unfortunately this building does not have the size or facilities that are required by a modern Hotel.

Would a large modern hotel in central Horsham be good for the Horsham as a whole? Again categorically yes. A hotel such as this is likely to have at least one Wedding or major function every weekend. Wedding parties etc. often make a bit of a 'mini break' for the weekend and will bring much needed business to Horsham's shops, bars and restaurants.

Increased weekend trade would be great but even more welcome would the MIDWEEK trade that this could bring. A decent modern hotel has the facilities to run conferences, seminars and courses etc. All of these events will bring midweek trade to Horsham. The hotel could probably strike a deal with one of the quality US airlines that fly into Gatwick daily. Visiting airline crews would spend money in the town and would probably be glad to stay in something with character, as opposed to a vanilla Gatwick/Crawley high-rise.

Is Horsham Park the right place to build a new hotel? It seems the majority opinion is a definite NO. Karen-Hearts makes also makes the point that is 'just for visitors'. Just playing Devils advocate here - IF the hotel was well equipped, tastefully furnished and built in the style of Park House and IF it did not exceed the boundaries of the old nursery, I think it could be of benefit to all of Horsham. It would bring much needed trade to the town and we would have a venue that we would be proud to accommodate our visitors.

Something needs to be done. Horsham town centre businesses are closing on a regular basis. I am very proud to live in Horsham and want it to retain it's character. I don't think any more park green land should be developed on but if something can be built that we are proud of, is in keeping with the surroundings, meet current needs and brings much needed business to Horsham then I am in favour.

RE: Horsham Park Hotel!!

karen-hearts — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 09:44:55 GMT

Horsham park, i feel is definatly the wrong place for a Hotel to be built.

My reasons are that if a Hotel gets the go ahead on Park ground, then whats to say in years to come that planning applications are put forward for exspansion.

Any futher building ,if any, should ideally be low level and to be of use to the whole community.

Horsham park was origanaly intended for the people of Horsham and visitors, where as a Hotel is just for visitors.

I agree a Hotel would provide jobs and i'm not opposed to a Hotel on the whole, but this could surely be provided in a different location, preferably well away from the park.;)

RE: Horsham Park Hotel!!

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 20:23:17 GMT

And isn't there a 42 room hotel in the town centre sitting empty, known as Ye Olde King's Head! If that isn't viable then one out of town will struggle

RE: Horsham Park Hotel!!

a1topdog — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 17:25:38 GMT

Haven't they just build a massive extension to the hotel opposite the station? How much demand is there for more hotel rooms in Horsham?

RE: Horsham Park Hotel!!

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 22:02:52 GMT

See below the Press Release from the Horsham Society:

PRESS RELEASE

HOTEL THREAT TO PARK

A Horsham District Councillor is promoting the idea of building a massive hotel in Horsham Park. The idea is that the building would occupy the whole of the site of the now-redundant children’s nursery and grounds. Further areas of the Park would be taken for car parking and access.

Both The Horsham Society and the Friends of Horsham Park are resolutely against any more development in the Park. Over the years, too much of this valuable green resource has been nibbled away and both organisations have many members who already feel that the night club on the south side of the Park and the swimming pool on the north side are over-obtrusive for those who like to enjoy the quiet pleasures of this green oasis.

We are aware of the need for a quality hotel in the centre of Horsham but we believe that the Park should not be sacrificed in this way. Various suggestions have been made in the past but commercial gain has always triumphed over common sense. The Park must be preserved as a quiet haven for the people of Horsham to enjoy, and not be built over. It would be better to convert some empty offices, as has been done elsewhere.

Just before Christmas, Horsham District Council published its draft plan for the future of Horsham Park. The children’s nursery dates from requisition in the Second World War and the buildings are life-expired. The expectation is that West Sussex County Council will remove the buildings and the area will return to parkland. This has been the message from The Horsham Society for many years and fully accords with the expectations of the Friends of Horsham Park. We believe that it is irresponsible of a District Councillor to suggest anything else.

NOTE TO EDITORS

1. The Park was ceded to the town for the "quiet enjoyment of the people of Horsham" and was added to by purchases by the local Council. It is unique in providing a Park close to shops, offices and homes with easy access to the centre of the town.

2. The Horsham Society’s concern is for the past, present and future of the town.

3. The Friends of Horsham Park are a relatively new group founded to represent the users of the Park. It is independent of The Horsham Society although many people belong to both organisations.

CONTACTS

J Steele

Chairman, The Horsham Society

2 Old Denne Gardens

Horsham, RH12 1JA

01403 272814

N Friswell

Chairman, Friends of Horsham Park

2 Millais

Horsham, RH13 6BS

01403 261905

RE: Horsham Park Hotel!!

DotNetWebs — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 21:12:45 GMT

I have to admit I am in favour of the idea in principle.

I have said before on this forum Horsham desperately needs a decent central Hotel. I would be happy as long as it doesn't encroach into the park any further than the existing boundaries of the old nursery, and its appearance is in keeping with the existing buildings (Park House etc.)

I think a good job was done when the old swimming pool was replaced with the Pavilions in the Park. Provided the existing green areas are maintained I would look at this as a moderisation rather than urbanisation.

Having said that, if the Horsham Society, Friends of Horsham Park and Hidden Horsham are against it - then I would agree that a proper consultation is carried out and the views of Horsham residents should be considered before any plans are approved.

Whether its built in the park or not Horsham desparetly needs a decent hotel. I would like to see one built somewhere, and sooner rather than later, and certainly before the 2012 Olympics.

Horsham Park Hotel!!

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 20:37:47 GMT

Gordon Brown (not that one), the vice-chairman of the council's northern planning committee has written to other councillors proposing that a 55 bedroom hotel be built in Horsham Park on the site of the old nursery. It is to be in Queen Anne style, like Park House, and will require an extension to parking facilities.

You can count me as one objector to this scheme - the park was given to the town for its enjoyment, not for building on. The Horsham Society has issued a press release, in partnership with the Friends of Horsham Park, condemning the plan

Horsham Society

WSCT story