Crawley was a classic 1940’s 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 except for land to the west of Ifield which has mostly been owned by the government since new town days. 

Carter Jonas were commissioned by Homes England 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 included: 

• Over 3,000 homes (of which 40% will be affordable); 
• 1,000 jobs; 
• 2 schools and a local centre; and 
• Large areas of open space.