Agenda and minutes

To receive any declarations of interest from Members

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive any announcements from the Chairman of the Council, the Leader, Members of the Cabinet or the Chief Executive

There were no announcements.

To consider the planning application referred to Council by Planning Committee (North) at its meeting on 28^th April 2017

The Chairman invited the Director of Planning, Economic Development & Property to present the report on the outline application which sought permission for a mixed use strategic development, with all matters, except for access, reserved for future determination. 

The application had been referred to full Council by Planning Committee (North) on 28^th April 2017.  The Committee had resolved to do so because of the scale and significance of the proposal (Minute No. PCN/121 (28.04.17) refers).

Details of the proposal included: up to 2,750 homes, to include 30% housing for local need, of which 18% would be affordable housing; a number of education and community facilities; 46,450 square metre business park; retail facilities including local shopping facilities; open space and recreation facilities; and landscaping. 

The application site was located adjacent to the northern boundary of Horsham, north of the A264 between Langhurstwood Road and Wimland Road.  The suburban area of Crawley was approximately two miles to the north east.  The site was predominantly made up of agricultural fields, with some copses and three areas of ancient woodland. 

Members were referred to the report and addendum that had been considered by the Planning Committee, which contained details of the application, relevant policies, planning history, the outcome of consultations, a planning assessment of the proposal and recommendations. They were also referred to the appendix to the original report, which outlined proposed Heads of Terms to be secured through a Legal Agreement. 

Since the application had been reported to the Planning Committee, three letters of objection and one of comment had been received.

Three members of the public spoke in objection to the application, comprising a member of Horsham District Cycle Forum, a member of the Horsham Society, and a representative of Horsham Labour Party.  A representative of Horsham Town Community Partnership commented on the proposal. The applicant and the applicant’s agent both addressed the meeting in support of the proposal. 

Representatives from North Horsham Parish Council, Rusper Parish Council and Warnham Parish Council all addressed the meeting in objection to the proposal. 

Members considered the additional information and details set out in Addendum B which sought to assist Members in considering the points of concern that had been raised by the Planning Committee regarding: transport and highways; the Viability Assessment and affordable housing provision; and services and infrastructure.  The addendum also included two corrections to paragraphs 6.133 and 6.9 of the original report.  Members also noted a letter from the applicant which sought to clarify how points raised by the Planning Committee had been addressed.

Members commented on the outline application, weighing the benefits of the proposal against the harm, with particular reference to:

·      Transport and highways issues, including: Langhurstwood Road and the impact of HGVs travelling through a residential area; and traffic impact on the wider highway network, in particular on Rusper and Warnham.  The proposal’s impact on the A264 and connectivity with Horsham Town were also raised.  

     The Director of Planning, Economic Development & Property advised that officers and the applicant were  ...  view the full minutes text for item CO/89

To consider matters certified by the Chairman as urgent

There were no urgent matters to be considered.