Issue - meetings

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

            RESOLVED

(i)         That the draft Conservation Area Appraisals & Management Plans, which include proposed boundary changes, be approved for public consultation.

(ii)        That the Cabinet Member for Planning and Development be authorised to agree minor editorial changes prior to publication.

REASONS

To enable Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans to be produced to help guide development for the five largest historic settlements outside Horsham town which are experiencing significant growth pressures: Pulborough, Billingshurst, Steyning, Henfield and Storrington.

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Development reported that Section 71 of the Planning (Listed Buildings & Conservation Areas) Act 1990 required local planning authorities from time to time, to review and protect their conservation areas. 

In accordance with this requirement, draft Conservation Area Appraisals & Management Plans had been produced for Pulborough (Church Place & Lower Street), Billingshurst, Steyning, Henfield, and Storrington.  The appraisals included proposed additions and, in some cases, deletions to the current conservation area boundaries.

The Conservation Area Appraisals provided a basis on which to determine whether any parts should be deleted or additional parts designated.  The appraisals, once adopted following public consultation, would help inform future planning decisions regarding developments within or adjoining the respective Conservation Areas.  The Management Plans would take forward the issues raised in the appraisals, identifying the means by which the special interest of the Conservation Area would become self-sustaining into the future.

Members raised a number of issues including the possibility of designating new conservation areas; the involvement of parish councils; and a specific comment regarding the extent of a proposed addition in Billingshurst (which the Cabinet Member indicated would be considered during the consultation period).

            RESOLVED

(i)         That the draft Conservation Area Appraisals & Management Plans, which include proposed boundary changes, be approved for public consultation.

(ii)        That the Cabinet Member for Planning and Development be authorised to agree minor editorial changes prior to publication.

REASONS

To enable Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans to be produced to help guide development for the five largest historic settlements outside Horsham town which are experiencing significant growth pressures: Pulborough, Billingshurst, Steyning, Henfield and Storrington.