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West and North West of Crawley Joint Area Action Plan:
Issues and Options
Duly Made Representations for Mr
John Steele (2853) on behalf of The Horsham Society
(November 2006)
Development principles and
objectives : Paragraph 2.10
Response
“The
Horsham Society's interests lie primarily in the
impact that the development will have on Horsham town.
We support the "neighbourhood" principle that has
served Crawley well and believe that this approach in
itself should determine the answers to some of the
questions posed in this consultation document. We
particularly support the principle that the new
development should avoid contributing to the
coalescence of settlements. But we believe that words
"by maintaining the sense of separation between
Crawley and Horsham" do not go far enough. It is not
only the sense of separation but the reality that must
be protected. The Horsham Society wishes to see the
continued existence of an effective Strategic Gap.”
Summary
“Support
the "neighbourhood" principle that has served Crawley
well and the principle that the new development should
avoid contributing to the coalescence of settlements.
However, the Horsham Society feels that the statement
"by maintaining the sense of separation between
Crawley and Horsham" does not go far enough.”
Question Set 1 (The Environment)
What do you think are the most important environmental
or historic features in the Area of Study?
What design features do you think could be used to
‘blend’ a new urban area into the existing urban area
and the surrounding countryside?
How would public access and links to the countryside
from the new development be improved from those that
currently exist?
Do you have any suggestions as to how the most
important landscape features and character areas can
be protected whilst accommodating development and what
are the opportunities for protecting and enhancing the
area?
Are there any particular characteristics about the
current urban/rural edge that you feel should be
retained or enhanced?
What type of green/open spaces do you consider
important for a community and how can these be
integrated with the new development, the existing
built-up areas of Crawley and the surrounding
countryside?
Response
“The
Horsham Society considers it to be essential that the
development provides a clear and defensible boundary
on the west side to ensure that the Strategic Gap is
unambiguously defined. We therefore have concerns
about suggestions that blur the edges of town and
country and will need to be convinced that this is not
incompatible with the concept of a clear defensible
boundary. One possibility could be to define the
boundary with strategic open space.”
Summary
“It is
essential the development provides a clear and
defensible boundary on the west side to ensure that
the Strategic Gap is unambiguously defined. We have
concerns about blurring the edges of town and country.
One possibility could be to define the boundary with
strategic open space.”
Question Set 3 (Employment Provision)
Do you think land for employment use should be
included in the neighbourhood?
Should the development West and
North
West
of
Crawley
deliver strategic employment provision or should
development only accommodate the commercial floorspace
required for a new neighbourhood?
Should any new strategic employment provision be
accommodated within the new neighbourhood or provided
in direct connection with the existing employment
areas at Gatwick and Manor Royal?
What type of employment do you think is needed?
Response
“The
"neighbourhood" principle should mean that apart from
housing there should be adequate provision of
community facilities, including commercial space to
the extent needed to make for a rounded sustainable
community. It is unclear what the term "commercial
floorspace" means but if it includes, for example, a
pub, local shops and possibly some light industrial
units then that is appropriate. We do not consider
this area should be used to accommodate strategic
employment provision including industrial parks etc.”
Summary
“The
"neighbourhood" principle should include commercial
space needed to make a sustainable community. If
"commercial floorspace" means, for example, a pub,
local shops and possibly some light industrial units
then that is appropriate. This area should be used to
accommodate strategic employment provision including
industrial parks etc.”
Question Set 5 (Transport and Highway Infrastructure)
When and where do you think the worst traffic
congestion occurs in the western neighbourhoods of
Crawley?
How effective are existing public transport services
in the area?
What are the opportunities to provide for sustainable
transport provision?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of building
a relief road in conjunction with the development?
What do you perceive to be the key issues and
constraints to the delivery of any such relief road?
Response
“The
Horsham Society is concerned about the proposal for a
relief road. It is not clear whether the road is
intended to provide for current traffic or that
generated by the new development, nor is it clear what
size it might be or its preferred route. As currently
posed the question is too general to be answered one
way or another. We would observe however that a relief
road through the new development would probably be
divisive, whereas one on the edge could contribute to
providing a defensible boundary.”
Summary
“It is
not clear whether the road is intended to provide for
current traffic or that generated by the new
development, nor is it clear what size it might be or
its preferred route. A relief road through the new
development would probably be divisive, whereas one on
the edge could contribute to providing a defensible
boundary.”
Question Set 6 (Utilities and Infrastructure)
In your view, have we identified all the right
constraints and requirements at this stage?
In light of the responses received to date, are there
specific areas or issues that we should give priority
to in order to bring the JAAP forward to the next
stage?
Response
“The
Horsham Society is concerned that new development
should only proceed once strategic infrastructure is
in place. We remain unconvinced that there are
adequate reserves of water, for example, to serve a
large new community when the authorities cannot
provide it now. We believe the issue of adequate
hospital provision should be a pre-requisite for any
development.”
Summary
“New
development should only proceed once strategic
infrastructure is in place. Unconvinced that there are
adequate reserves of water, for example, to serve a
large new community when the authorities cannot
currently provide it. Adequate hospital provision
should be a pre-requisite for any development.”
Question Set 7 (Alternative Land Uses)
Do you agree that the alternative land uses, discussed
in this document should be explored further through
the JAAP?
Are there any alternative land uses not listed in this
document that should be considered as part of the JAAP?
Are there any parts of the Area of Study that a
particular alternative land use should avoid?
Are there specific land areas within the Area of Study
that lend themselves particularly well to any of the
above uses?
Are there any alternative land uses, discussed in this
document, that should not be considered further in
this JAAP?
Response
“The
Horsham Society views with interest proposals to
examine additional uses such as a hospital,
university, new rail connections etc. Whilst they
might be desirable in their own right their inclusion
should not prejudice the provision of the necessary
homes. Furthermore we wish to see a commitment in the
document that if any such alternative uses are
included so too will provision for all ancillary
requirements. In other words if a university or
hospital were included within the area of study so
must provision for housing for staff, students etc,
and any necessary infrastructure such as CHP. The
inclusion of a large facility within the area of study
must not be allowed to put later pressure on the
Strategic Gap.”
Summary
“Alternative land uses might be desirable in their own
right but their inclusion should not prejudice the
provision of the necessary homes. We wish to see a
commitment that if any alternative uses are included
so too will provision for all ancillary requirements
and any necessary infrastructure. The inclusion of a
large facility within the area of study must not put
later pressure on the Strategic Gap.”
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