Crawley was a classic 1940s New Town with 9 distinct neighbourhoods surrounding the urban centre and a large industrial estate separating the town from Gatwick to the north.

Since the original town’s completion, 5 further neighbourhoods have stretched its boundary. Today there is little room left for expansion but land to the west of Ifield which has mostly been owned by the government since new town days. Carter Jonas have been commissioned by a consortium of Homes England, Welbeck Land, Rydon and Wates to plan this 190 ha. site as a comprehensive urban extension of the town.

This includes taking note of Gatwick Airport’s planned expansion, the proposed West Crawley Relief Road, a complex flood relief strategy, and protecting the setting of old Ifield village. The proposals are for: over 3000 homes (of which 40% will be affordable); 1000 jobs; 3 schools and a local centre; set in over 50 % open space. Particular care has been taken to protect the setting of Ancient Woodland and other important wildlife sites.