Issue - meetings

To receive the report of the Cabinet Member for Planning & Development

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

i)        To adopt the Horsham Town Centre Public Realm Strategy and Design Guide.

RESOLVED

ii)       To note the summary of stakeholders’ consultations.

iii)      To delegate authority for any minor amendments to the Cabinet Member for Planning and Development.

REASON

i)        This Public Realm Strategy and Design Guide for Horsham Town Centre seeks to achieve the overarching aspiration to; enhance the existing heritage of the town centre; futureproof the town centre by identifying and maximising key spaces that could provide flexibility in how they can function, and improve access and connectivity throughout; sustain and further promote Horsham as a key destination to live, socialise and shop. A coherent public realm strategy is a fundamental factor in order to achieve this aspiration.

ii)       The Stakeholder engagement summary is an important background document in setting out the proposed response to the comments received.

iii)     To allow minor changes only. Any substantive change would need to be agreed by all Members.

The Cabinet Member for Planning & Development presented the strategy and design guide.  It built on the Town Centre Vision Statement adopted in 2017, and its development had involved extensive consultation with the Neighbourhood Councils and other local stakeholders.  The Cabinet Member set out the key guiding principles that would ensure a consistent approach to design, as set out in the report.  She thanked those who had contributed to its development, including the former Cabinet Member for Horsham Town.

The guide would inform the design and assessment process for future development and maintenance, and support the design of individual developments and projects over time.  The Cabinet Member confirmed that having ‘shovel ready’ designs would enable the Council to bid for Government and other potential sources of funding more effectively.

RESOLVED

i)     To recommend to Council that it adopts the Horsham Town Centre Public Realm Strategy and Design Guide.

ii)    To note the summary of stakeholders’ consultations.

iii)    To delegate authority for any minor amendments to the Cabinet Member for Planning and Development.

REASON

i)     This Public Realm Strategy and Design Guide for Horsham Town Centre seeks to achieve the overarching aspiration to; enhance the existing heritage of the town centre; futureproof the town centre by identifying and maximising key spaces that could provide flexibility in how they can function, and improve access and connectivity throughout; sustain and further promote Horsham as a key destination to live, socialise and shop. A coherent public realm strategy is a fundamental factor in order to achieve this aspiration.

ii)    The Stakeholder engagement summary is an important background document in setting out the proposed response to the comments received.

iii)    To allow minor changes only. Any substantive change would need to be agreed by all Members.