Agenda and draft minutes

Venue: via Remote Video Link

Contact: Email: committeeservices@horsham.gov.uk  Direct Line: 01403 215465

Items
No. Item

22.

Notes of previous meeting pdf icon PDF 104 KB

To receive the notes of the meeting held on 9 November 2020

Minutes:

The notes of the meeting held on 9 November 2020 were received.

23.

Regular update on progress of key strategic sites allocated in the HDPF

To update the Group on progress in delivering the key strategic sites allocated in the adopted Horsham District Planning Framework

Minutes:

The Head of Development & Building Control gave an update on progress on the strategic sites, which were noted by the Group.

 

Land North of Horsham: Works on the Bohunt School were being progressed and it was on track to open in December 2021. Works had started at the A264 roundabout.  Rusper Road south would be closed for several weeks to allow utilities connections for the site.  A reserved matters application had been received for the bridge over the A264.  Further parcels of land were progressing.  A revised Cycle Strategy had been received and was being assessed, and some amendments had been made to the Design and Landscape Strategy for Phase 1.

 

Southwater:  Works were continuing.  There were no major updates since the last briefing to the Group.

 

Billingshurst:  There were no major updates.  The spine road had opened to traffic and play spaces were under construction.

 

Land South of Billingshurst:  Kingslea Farm was nearly completed.  Construction on the Marringdean Acres site was scheduled to commence by April, with steps being taken to ensure residents are kept informed.

 

Highwood:    There were no major updates. The Fire Station application had been submitted to WSCC.

 

Novartis:  Pre-commencement works had commenced and should be completed by April.

24.

A proposal to provide fast-track planning decisions

Officers are considering implementing a service to be able to provide simple householder planning application and householder proposed certificate of lawfulness decisions in a quicker timescale, with a fee applicable for this service. The views of PDAG members are sought on the possibility of implementing this service.

Minutes:

The Head of Development & Building Control briefed the Group on a proposal to introduce a fast track planning application service to provide decisions on minor householder schemes within 28 days.  This was significantly quicker than the government target of 56 days.  The service would also include householder permitted development applications. 

 

Guidance on the service would be produced before its implementation in April.  In response to questions from the Group, it was confirmed that the service would be reviewed after three months and again at six months. 

 

The Cabinet Member said that the scheme would have a positive benefit for applicants and also generate income for the Council.  The Group were supportive of the proposal.

25.

Horsham District Local Plan Review

To update the Group on the Local Plan Review process including evidence base updates

Minutes:

The Director of Place advised that following recent advice, the Council has been made aware of new requirements about the timing of work with organisations such as Highways England, Natural England and other authorities, which need to be concluded as far as possible before the publication of our Regulation 19 document.  Whilst this work is ongoing, it does mean we need more time to conclude these discussions before consultation can commence.

 

The Head of Strategic Planning gave a presentation on progress that was being made on the Local Plan review. She confirmed that most of the key evidence base work is well progressed and will be made available as part of the forthcoming regulation 19 consultation.

26.

Forward Plan Extract for the Planning and Development Portfolio pdf icon PDF 213 KB

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

Minutes:

The Forward Plan extract was noted.