Center Parcs Pull Out of Oldhouse Warren Woods

At the start of February, Center Parcs announced that they were no longer moving forward with their plans for a new centre in Oldhouse Warren woods just to the south east of Crawley. While many will miss the jobs and opportunities that would have been generated, there will be sites elsewhere that would benefit from Center Parcs creating and increasing diversity, rather than diminishing it. A joint statement from a number of groups working against the proposed plan can be read here.

Back in 2021 they stated that, "following an extensive search, the 553-acres of woodland has been identified as a suitable site due to its location to the south of London and its excellent transport links. Center Parcs will now undertake rigorous site surveys and pre-planning works to ensure the woodland meets the specific requirements of a Center Parcs village, as well as carrying out a programme of community engagement with a view to submitting a planning application to the local authority in due course."

On the 9th February they concluded that, "as part of our usual pre-planning process, we have undertaken rigorous environmental and ecological site surveys and, having analysed all the detail from these surveys, we have concluded that the site at Oldhouse Warren is not a suitable location for a Center Parcs village.'