Agenda and draft minutes

To receive the notes of the meeting held on 5 August 2019

The notes of the previous meeting held on 5 August 2019 were received. 

To update the Group on progress in delivering the key Strategic Sites allocated in the adopted Horsham District Planning Framework (ie Novartis, North of Horsham, East of Billingshurst and at Southwater).

The Head of Development updated the Group on progress on allocated strategic sites since the previous meeting. 

Land North of Horsham:  Reserved matters application for Bohunt School had been received is being considered.   Members were assured that a safe access to the school would be required before the opening of the school, as required by a condition attached to the outline permission.  

A temporary access will be necessary in the first instance. The developers are exploring options for the exact location of the footbridge together with other potential enhancements to the scheme.

The Head of Development agreed to advise the PDAG of the temporary safe crossing proposals once submitted and approved.  She would also advise them of the agreed location of the footbridge once confirmed.  The Cabinet Member would discuss the timescale for building the footbridge with the developer and update the Group at a future PDAG.  

Southwater:  The sports facilities had been transferred successfully. 

Land East of Billingshurst: The three developers working on this site were working well to ensure an appropriate housing mix.  The Head of Development agreed to let the Group know the completion date for the northeast quadrant bypass.

Kilnwood Vale:  The on-site school had opened, and an application for a neighbourhood centre was expected by the end of the year.  The Cabinet Member commented on the high quality of this development to date.

Highwood:  The northern section of the development had been completed and the southern section was being constructed.  The Head of Development would confirm bus service arrangements to the Local Members.

Novartis:  The planning application for this development would be considered by Council on 16 October, having been deferred to allow for an independent road safety audit and further information on parking provision. 

To update the Group upon the evidence base studies which will inform the Horsham District Local Plan Review.

Gypsy and Traveller needs

The Group were updated on work to provide an evidence base about the current and future accommodation needs of Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople in the district.  The Group noted that the work to identify needs focusses on the planning definition for Gypsies and Travellers. The amount we need to plan for will be a combination of existing needs and those projected for the next five and ten years.  It was noted that there were sufficient sites for the current and future needs of Travelling Showpeople.

Further work is underway to understand how best the identified needs can be met. The Group noted that for the Local Plan to be found ‘sound’ it will be necessary for the Gypsy and Traveller needs for the next 10 years (and 15 if possible) to be identified in the Plan. 

Strategic Sites Summary

The Head of Strategic Planning briefed the Group on the range of issues that are being considered when assessing land put forward by developers as potential sites for providing homes, employment land and community facilities.  These include sustainability, connectivity and deliverability.    

To note the Forward Plan extract for the Planning and Development Portfolio

The extract from the Forward Plan was noted.