NEWS RELEASES
Where will developments take place?
24th January 2005
A LARGE number of new homes must be built across the Horsham District during the next decade - these quotas are required by the Government.
Having said that, the public can have a say in pinpointing the best locations for these houses and ensuring that they will dovetail with local services, such as schools, community centres and shops.
This can be done through Horsham District Council’s Local Development Framework (LDF), formerly the Local Plan, and during the next few weeks all members of the District community will have a vital and last chance opportunity to comment on the final shape of the new LDF.
The consultation period starts on February 4 and continues until March 18. After that, the Council’s proposals will be finalised so that a public examination can be carried out by a Government inspector early in 2006.
Once the inspector produces his report, the LDF will be binding, without further chance of challenge.
The County Structure Plan has already decided on quotas for each district in West Sussex and the Horsham District’s total for the period between 2001 and 2016 is 9,335 homes. Of these, 1,135 are already built and another 1,730 are committed, which leaves a question mark over where a further 6,470 will go.
It makes good sense to build as many as possible within existing towns and villages and the District Council has found such space to accommodate 2,535. However, the remainder will need to be built on green field land and it is proposed that these should be divided up into two categories.
The main focus is on the two larger developments proposed to the west of Crawley (2,000 homes before 2016) and west of Horsham (1,250 homes before 2016), part on land situated to the south of Tanbridge School and part to the south of Broadbridge Heath.
Smaller scale developments spread across ten of the Horsham District’s towns and villages could take up to 770 homes, including some to be held in 'reserve' in case they are needed.
The LDF proposals include many other schemes, such as the development of Brinsbury as a rural centre of excellence, the future use of the former cement works at Upper Beeding and a football stadium with park and ride on land adjacent to Hilliers Garden Centre off the A281 at Horsham.
No final decisions will be taken until there has been a full and thorough public debate, and residents, businesses, employees and local communities are all urged to take this opportunity to become fully involved before Horsham District Council’s proposals are finalised later this year.
Information about this crucial stage of the LDF, which is the last chance for the public to add comments to the consultation, has been and is being published in the local press and via a newsletter - which will go to every home in early February - and online
Comments, submitted on the appropriate form, should be sent to the following address between February 4 and March 18:
Head of Strategic and Community Planning,
Horsham District Council,
Park North,
North Street,
Horsham,
West Sussex RH12 1RL.
Telephone: (01403) 215398.
E-mail: strategic.planning@horsham.gov.uk
Ends
CONTACT: Richard Morris, Communications Manager
(01403) 215549