Housebuilder Sigma Homes is to start work on a £16 million project to build over 30 new homes in West Sussex.

The firm has secured a 1.9Ha (4.7acres) brownfield site in the village of Barns Green.

Construction work to develop the 32 homes is to begin later this summer.

Located off Chapel Road, the site – to be known as Sumners Fields – is situated in Barns Green's largely rural community, surrounded by expanses of countryside. Horsham District Council resolved to grant detailed planning permission for the scheme in December 2022, subject to the completion of a s106 legal agreement. Designed by Worthing-based ECE Architecture, the homes will include one-, two-, three- and four- bedroom apartments and houses. 12 of these properties are allocated for affordable housing, providing an above policy 37.5% allocation.

Hunter Developments Holdings Ltd and The Smith Family worked in close cooperation with Sigma Homes in developing the design proposal for the site. The site is currently used for car parking and houses several farm buildings, as well as several dilapidated light industrial units.


Geoff Potton, Chief Executive of Sigma Homes, said: "We are delighted to have secured another prime site in such a beautiful – and highly sought-after – part of West Sussex. So many development proposals are currently held up by planning and pre-construction delays caused by Natural England's current advice on water neutrality, but this will be one of the first schemes to be delivered within Horsham District which will deliver a water neutrality solution. The plans sensitively respond to the site characteristics and will result in a high quality, sustainable addition to Barns Green.

"This mix of open market and affordable homes – suitable for first time buyers, families, and downsizers – are much-needed to meet local housing demand. As with all our developments, this scheme will be constructed utilising timber-frame technology and a range of other ‘green’ features including grey water recycling to enable residents to significantly reduce their carbon footprint and energy bills.

"2023 is a major milestone for Sigma Homes, as it marks our tenth year in business. With three other highly sustainable developments currently under construction across West Sussex, we understand what our customers are looking for and the enviable lifestyle this county offers. The build and quality of our homes has been attracting discerning buyers for a decade, and we are immensely proud of the reputation we have accrued."