|
Local Development Framework
Horsham District Council was one of the first in the
country to complete its Core Strategy which was
adopted in February 2007. This sets out the key
elements of the Council’s planning framework and core
policies for the period up to 2018. It includes the
designation of two Strategic Locations west of Horsham
and west of Crawley where the bulk of the new housing
(some 4,500 unit) will be provided.
The current core strategy can be downloaded from
http://www.horshamdistrictldf.info/LDDS/local_dev_documents_4496.asp
In 2009 the Council began its first review of the Core
Strategy which it was intended would take into
account of the planning assumptions and housing
targets contained in the South East Plan which covers
the period up to 2026. This required Horsham District
to provide land for a further substantial number of
new homes. Although the precise figure was unclear it
was likely to be around 6,000.
The options in the consultation paper included a new
village of 4,000 homes, large settlements in the
strategic gap between Crawley and Horsham, major
extensions to Billingshurst and Southwater, and even
building on Chesworth Farm country park. Also
canvassed, but lacking any detail, was a new market
town possibly developed jointly with Mid Sussex in the
A23 corridor.
The Consultation paper can be downloaded from
http://www.horshamdistrictldf.info/Files/CSReviewDocument.pdf
The Horsham Society has long argued that it is wrong
to continue looking for short term solutions to what
is a long term problem. In other words we should stop
thinking the demand for new homes can be met entirely
by adding to existing settlements. Towns and villages
lose their identity if allowed to grow too large. We
need a radical new approach which recognises the need
to plan for the long term and a new town would provide
for much of the growth needed for the foreseeable
future. It would take the pressure off our existing
towns and villages and allow them to develop where
necessary more slowly.
This, together with rejection of all the other
consultation options, formed the basis of our response
to the Council, which was summarised in a
letter to Chief
Executive Tom Crowley.
In May 2010 the new Coalition Government announced its
intention to change the planning system to give local
communities more say over how many new homes should be
built and where. Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for
Communities and Local Government, wrote to all
planning authorities essentially withdrawing the
housing supply requirements contained in the South
East Plan. Whilst welcome this alone does not solve
the present problems. The current law requires
planning authorities to maintain a five year forward
supply of available land for housing and Horsham
Council has recently lost two appeals for housing
developments on land not assigned within the LDF, in
part at least because it could not demonstrate it met
the five year rule. Cllr Robert Nye, Leader of HDC,
has written to the Secretary of State to say that
unless he similarly withdraws this requirement it will
not be possible for the Council to exercise local
control over development in the way the new Government
intends.
Where this leaves the Local Development Framework
remains to be seen but what is undeniable is that we
will need to find space for new housing in the years
ahead and the numbers and locations will undoubtedly
polarise views. The Horsham Society remains of the
view that our town cannot accommodate further outward
growth and still retain its character and the
strengths of it community.
See also our
article in the West Sussex County Times 18 September
2009»
LDF progress report -
June 2007»
A Design
Statement for Horsham Town - January 2007»
Society
comments on Joint Area Action Plan: issues & options
paper - November 2006»
Notes on the public
examination - October 2006»
Statement of evidence
for public examination - July 2006» |
