Issue - meetings

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

RESOLVED

To delegate authority to the Director of Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Development and the Cabinet Member for the Local Economy, to respond to procedural consultations and engagement as part of the Development Consent Order application process.

REASON

Without delegated authority, it is unlikely that the Council will be able to effectively engage with the DCO process.  If responses are not submitted in accordance with the statutory timescales they cannot be taken into account.  Without the requested delegation in place, this could result in a recommendation made to the Secretary of State regarding the future of Gatwick Airport, which does not fully take account of impacts upon Horsham District.

Councillor Lynn Lambert, Cabinet Member for Planning & Development, summarised Gatwick Airport’s proposal to expand by bringing their standby runway into routine use.  Due to the scale of the proposal, it was classified as a ‘Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project’ and would be determined through a Development Consent Order with the final decision made by the Secretary of State. 

The report set out the timescales for the determination of the Development Consent Order.  The Cabinet Member advised that in order to allow the Council to respond to the consultation process in a timely manner it would be necessary to delegate the authority to respond to procedural consultations, rather than go through the cycle of Cabinet or Council meetings.  The Cabinet Member emphasised that she would seek the views of Local Members during the process, and residents would also be able to put their views both through the Council or directly to the Planning Inspectorate.

The Leader agreed that they would be grateful for Councillor Liz Kitchen’s input during this process, given her experience and engagement as the Council’s representative on GatCom.

RESOLVED

To delegate authority to the Director of Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Development and the Cabinet Member for the Local Economy, to respond to procedural consultations and engagement as part of the Development Consent Order application process.

REASON

Without delegated authority it is unlikely that the Council will be able to effectively engage with the DCO process.  If responses are not submitted in accordance with the statutorytimescales they cannot be taken into account.  Without the requested delegation in place, this could result in a recommendation made to the Secretary of State regarding the future of Gatwick Airport which does not fully take account of impacts upon Horsham District.