Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any declarations of interest from Members of the Cabinet

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive questions from and provide answers to the public under Part 4 Rules 4j5.1-5.11 of the constitution

A maximum time of 20 minutes, or six questions, whichever is the greater, will be allowed in the meeting to receive oral questions and answers.

In the event that more than six questions are received by the deadline (no later than 12.00 noon on Wednesday 6 December to committeeservices@horsham.gov.uk, including the name and address of the questioner), written answers will be provided within 10 working days of the meeting for those that cannot receive an oral answer.

In the interests of transparency and fairness, if similar questions that require the same or similar answers are submitted within the first six received, the first one submitted will receive an oral reply.    

Ms Karen Park asked the following question:

“What evidence does Horsham District Council have to support Energy from Waste being considered as a renewable energy and a contributor to its low carbon targets, compared to the evidence supplied by UK Without Incineration Network, to the Horsham incinerator planning appeal?”

Councillor John Milne, Cabinet Member for Planning & Infrastructure replied:

“Thank you for your question. The reference to waste heat sources in Policy 7 is not a direct reference to Energy from Waste. Instead, it refers to a means of delivering low carbon heating, such as District Heating schemes where excess heat from municipal buildings can be used to heat homes rather than requiring additional carbon-based energy sources.  

I do however note that paragraph 5.16 [in the draft Local Plan] does refer to energy from waste.  Whilst this paragraph is a list which simply seeks to set out a list of possible low carbon sources of energy, I accept that with the forthcoming implementation of food waste collections, this form of energy generation may be not be such a low carbon source of energy than initially envisaged. If the plan is agreed this evening, I am content that officers could consider proposing the deletion of this particular reference to a Planning Inspector as a minor modification to the plan in due course.  

It may be helpful for you to note that the matter of the Horsham Incinerator is the responsibility of West Sussex County Council as the waste and minerals planning authority, and this Council is not the decision maker in relation to this matter.”

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

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

i)               To approve for publication the Horsham District Local Plan Regulation 19 document together with the Sustainability Appraisal, Habitats Regulation Assessment and Policies Map and other supporting evidence base documents for a 6 week period of representation from Friday 19 January 2024 to Friday 1 March 2024.

ii)              To approve the submission of the Horsham District Local Plan Regulation 19 document to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (the Planning Inspectorate) for examination, following the six week representation period, together with Regulation 19 representations submitted to the Council and the necessary background evidence.

iii)             To delegate authority to the Director of Place in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Infrastructure to prepare a Proposed Modifications Schedule for the Plan with proposed changes that may be required to address soundness representations received during the aforementioned representation period.

iv)             To note that the final Local Plan will be brought back to full Council for formal adoption following the independent examination undertaken by the secretary of state.

REASON

i)               To ensure that the Council meets the statutory requirement to carry out a Local Plan review, and to meet the requirements in the Town and County Planning (Local Planning) England Regulations 2012.

ii)              It is both legally necessary and appropriate to invite public and stakeholder participation in the preparation of a new Local Plan for Horsham District. Part of the statutory process is to allow representations to be made on the Local Plan before it is submitted to the Secretary of State.

iii)             To enable the Local Plan to progress to independent examination and accord with government regulations to have an up-to-date Local Plan.

Councillor John Milne, Cabinet Member for Planning & Infrastructure introduced the report and highlighted the need for an up-to-date Local Plan and that there should not be further delays.

In response to questions raised in relation to sustainable transport, the Leader highlighted that the majority of expansion detailed in the Local Plan was proposed within or adjoining urban areas. The Cabinet Member for Infrastructure & Planning clarified that the concept of 20-minute communities was that, as far as is possible, communities should have access to day-to-day needs within walking or cycling distance, which would apply across urban and rural developments. The focus was to ensure developments were designed for the future, and reducing the requirement for the use of cars.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

i)              To approve for publication the Horsham District Local Plan Regulation 19 document together with the Sustainability Appraisal, Habitats Regulation Assessment and Policies Map and other supporting evidence base documents for a 6 week period of representation from Friday 19 January 2024 to Friday 1 March 2024.

ii)             To approve the submission of the Horsham District Local Plan Regulation 19 document to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (the Planning Inspectorate) for examination, following the six week representation period, together with Regulation 19 representations submitted to the Council and the necessary background evidence.

iii)           To delegate authority to the Director of Place in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Infrastructure to prepare a Proposed Modifications Schedule for the Plan with proposed changes that may be required to address soundness representations received during the aforementioned representation period.

iv)           To note that the final Local Plan will be brought back to full Council for formal adoption following the independent examination undertaken by the secretary of state.

REASONS

i)              To ensure that the Council meets the statutory requirement to carry out a Local Plan review, and to meet the requirements in the Town and County Planning (Local Planning) England Regulations 2012.

ii)             It is both legally necessary and appropriate to invite public and stakeholder participation in the preparation of a new Local Plan for Horsham District. Part of the statutory process is to allow representations to be made on the Local Plan before it is submitted to the Secretary of State.

iii)           To enable the Local Plan to progress to independent examination and accord with government regulations to have an up-to-date Local Plan.

There were no matters of special urgency to be considered.