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PROPOSED PRIORY DEVELOPMENT UPDATE

NEW PLANNING APPLICATION FOR THE SITE NORTH OF OUR CAR PARK -

PLANNING APPLICATION NUMBER DC/07/2454

Both Horsham District Council and the local Parish Council advised us to look at our land which lies inside the boundary. This we have done in consultation with Horsham District Council. Having taken their advice, we have now submitted an application for 9 dwellings on our land to the north of the car park. There will be no loss of car parking space, there will be a greatly enhanced safer entrance/exit and we will be able to address the problem of mud in wet weather. The lime trees have preservation orders on them; however, two of them are in a worrying condition and will have to go - again, we are working with the tree department at HDC on this matter.

Please support this planning application by contacting:

Horsham District Council Planning Application Department, Park North, North Street, Horsham RH12 1RL quoting our Planning Application number DC/07/2454.

Alternatively, you can submit your comments and support online by clicking the link here DC/07/2454

SHRINE SITE

In October 2007 we completed Phase 1 of the woodland planting in the field south of School Lane. Some 230 trees (hornbeam, oak, copper beech, chestnut, wild cherry, rowan, field maple, alder, willow and silver birch) have been planted. A formal avenue of hornbeams will lead up to the site where we hope to transfer the outside statue of Our Lady and Child. We are now considering designs for the new shrine area. This means that the present shrine will become free for other uses. This land is within the development boundary and Horsham District Council are keen to see low-cost housing for local young people on this site. We have yet to submit a planning application for this.

The whole purpose of these proposed developments is to raise funds to refurbish the Priory buildings so that they can be used safely and suitably by the resident community, the parish community, groups on retreat, pilgrims and visitors.

What is the alternative?

The future of the Priory, its Community and the land belonging to it depends on the successful outcome to our application for planning permission. If we are unable to raise the funds to refurbish the Priory, it will continue to decay and

we will have to abandon it.

It would seem likely that it would become a dilapidated eyesore over a number of years and would eventually end up in the hands of property developers who are likely to have more influence and financial power than we do.

Demolition of the existing Priory and the building of numerous houses, flats or even a hostel would seem possible.

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About the Priory

In 1882, six refugee Norbertine priests arrived in Storrington and started building the Priory church and monastery. There has been a Norbertine Community here ever since, caring for the local Catholic population. The priests in the Priory continue this work today, working in parishes, schools, hospitals and prisons. There are now four of us and we wish to stay; however, the building is big and in need of considerable refurbishment. As well as being our house, we have used the Priory as a centre for all sorts of groups and over the last year or so we have been looking at how we can increase this use and use our premises to the best advantage.

In brief, our plans are to raise funds to refurbish the Priory buildings for use not only as a retreat/meeting place for various groups but also to offer facilities for the people of Storrington.

How much will refurbishment cost?

East Wing Refurbishment to bring up to today's legal requirements and possibly provide better facilities would cost in the region of £150,000 - £180,000.

Scaffolding and General Repairs and Repainting

of the whole building in the region of £180,000. This does not allow for any major repairs to brickwork or roof.

South Wing Refurbishment to comply with today's legal requirements for the provision of group retreats in the roof areas. This would cost in the region of £300,000 - £350,000.

General Improvements to make the building more ecological and reduce future maintenance costs might cost in the region of £80,000.

These photos show just two examples of the current dilapidation of the interior of the Priory.

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Our Planning Policy Statement

As a registered charity and part of the Order of Canons Regular of Prémontré which has been in existence for nearly 900 years, we are in a privileged position. Unlike a property development company we do not have to give such a high priority to profit.

 Our priorities are:

• To make proper use of our land and assets.

• To remain here for as long as we can. We have been here for over 100 years and we would wish to continue to work here. We are therefore very concerned to create something that we can be proud of.

• We wish to be involved very closely with any development of our land. In the past we have released land, then classified as agricultural, only for it subsequently to be reclassified, with developers making very significant profits. We are advised that it is likely that the church and monastery will shortly become listed buildings. We propose that 100% of the profit from this proposal will be spent on essential repairs and enhancements to the monastery in order to comply with today's standards.

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How do we propose to raise the money?

PRIORY PARK HOUSES

A DEVELOPMENT OF SECURE HOUSING FOR THE OVER 60's

Independent advisors say that 5 million more dwellings will have to be found to meet increasing demand for housing within the next 25 years. 60% of these will be in the south east of England. It is estimated that by 2030 there will be 19 million people over the age of 60 and that will be over a quarter of the population.

We have had extensive discussions and meetings with Horsham District Council and, although they intend to extend the development boundary in our area to include as suitable for redevelopment the tennis club courts and the back gardens to the houses that back onto the Area of Outstanding natural Beauty (AONB), and are clearly visible from the South Downs Way, they have not, so far, decided to include our field north of the cemetery.

The small area of our land north of the cemetery is very suitable for the modest and ecologically sensitive development that we propose, comprising 8 houses set back from a lake and a Quiet Garden. As it will be screened from being overlooked from the South Downs Way it would have no adverse impact on the beauty of the area. Adjacent, we would intend to plant some 2,000 trees and a new hedgerow.

The soil in the area proposed for the dwellings is of such poor quality that over the years three farmers have declined our offer to use it for grazing free of charge. We are advised that it is only suitable for intensive farming of a type not dependent upon soil quality or extensive use of chemicals, and reseeding will be required.

To the south of this proposed scheme, we have already planted some 3,500 vines on land long unused but which is, we are told, ideally suited to the production of grapes for wine. Eventually we hope to have over 5,000 vines of three varieties. We would like to think that this new venture is an indication of our long term plans to stay in Storrington.

Horsham District Council are required by Central Government to consider the needs of the retired and elderly and have recognised a need for secure housing in our area.

The logic of developing part of our land is undeniable; however, without District and Parish Council support it is unlikely to happen, so we have studied carefully what the Councils have said and put together a scheme which we believe should have their support.

In line with our own beliefs and now, with increasing public and government support, the environment and ecological development are much in everyone's minds. We propose a small development of mixed housing designed and built to the highest of ecological targets. We have already had discussions and advice from experts and the following are proposed:

• To improve on the current problem of rain water run-off; 100% of rain water from roofs and roads will be collected and reused or stored in the newly-formed lake.

• Grey water will be recycled.

• High-efficiency boilers will be used, possibly producing electricity as a by-product. Heat pumps will be considered, used in conjunction with the lake water.

• Insulation will far exceed current regulations.

• Photovotaic tiles will be used, subject to planners with regards to sitting. These will provide the electricity for the lighting of the public areas.

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Three other aspects of our proposals that are dependent on the 8 ecological dwellings

Priory Vineyard

Because of the long-term nature of grape production we have had to start our planting but this gives an indication of our commitment.

Eventually we hope to have between 5,000  to 6,000 vines of three varieties; two Pinot Noir and one Chardonnay. Dermot Sugrue, formerly of Nyetimber, our local gold medal winning vineyard, has advised and worked closely with us on the initial planting and it is our hope that these vines will produce a white sparkling wine from our own grapes.

The land planted out is of very poor soil quality, but it is ideally suited for the production of grapes for wine. The project has been designed to minimise day to day care, and once the monastery is again used for regular Retreats we envisage guests, friends as well as parishioners gathering with us periodically to tend the vines and gather the grapes in a community-building exercise.

For more information on our Vineyard click here.

Quiet Garden

After allowing for a possible extension to our cemetery we propose to create a Quiet Garden with access from the cemetery and a walkway, taking in and sharing the amenity of the lake and woodland.

Woodland Field Development

We have begun planting the field to the east of the lane to the cemetery to create a natural looking woodland with a walkway leading to a large open meeting area and a second, smaller, meeting area. We hope that our local Colleges at Brinsbury and Plumpton will be involved with the planning and planting. The selection of trees will have the final approval of Horsham's Aborist.

Our design will incorporate a new space for the outside Shrine for Our Lady of England, a woodland chapel and a prayer labyrinth. Our Prayer Labyrinth was created on 26 April 2008 - please go to our Labyrinth page for full details.

For further details of our Woodland Field development please click here

Our Lady of England Priory Labyrinth created on 26 April 2008.

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Who will benefit?

Below are just some of the groups who have used our property and land in the past and continue to do so:

Christians in Storrington - Church of England - Storrington Museum - Art Club - Arundel & Brighton Diocese Lourdes Pilgrimage Office - Various Choral Groups - Aids Support Groups - Lions International - Storrington Community Partnership - Round Table - Rotary Club - Storrington Bonfire Society - Various Pilgrimage Groups - Co-workers of Mother Teresa Collecting and Sorting Depot.

We hope that even more local people and groups will want to use our facilities both inside and out, and enjoy this beautiful and tranquil spot.

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