Welcome to the website for Abingworth Developments’ proposals for new homes and the modernisation of the mushrooms growing operation at Thakeham.
Background
The redevelopment plans are for a modernisation of the mushrooms growing operation on to the single Chesswood site.
This will be enabled by the clearance and redevelopment of the neighbouring Abingworth site for new homes, a new village hall with GP surgery and village shop, a dedicated Thakeham pre-school facility, workshops/studios and sports pitches for cricket and football.
Following several years of consultation, Abingworth Developments submitted two planning applications in June 2010 for these two sites. Both applications are linked as the housing would generate an injection of capital to enable the Sussex Mushrooms modernisation to happen.
In April 2011, Horsham District Council considered the two applications and resolved to grant planning permission subject to final agreement of legal and environmental issues.
During the summer of 2011, Sussex Mushrooms suffered financial problems and in July, Monaghan Mushrooms acquired the business, which has since been renamed Thakeham Mushrooms Limited. Since that time, Monaghan has spent £2.7 million to maintain production and employment on the site.