Agenda and draft minutes

To receive the notes of the meeting held on 11 January 2021

The notes of the meeting held on 11 January were received.

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

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: There were a number of updates including: Phase 1a for 197 dwellings had been approved and work would commence in June; the Design and Landscape Strategy had been approved;  the new bridge had been approved and would be completed by the end of the year and in use when the school opens; works on Rusper Road were on schedule; and amendments to the Cycle Strategy were being made to make it more robust, and it would be resubmitted in due course.

It was agreed that monthly updates on applications during the residential phase of Land North of Horsham would be sent to Local Members.

Southwater: Works were continuing. The Community Infrastructure Levy had been handed to the Parish Council. 

Highwood:  The Fire Station application had been approved.  In response to concerns from the Group regarding the colour of the cladding on the building, the Head of Development & Building Control agreed she would contact WSCC regarding this issue.

Kilnwood Vale: HDC had requested that the developer make delivery of the Neighbourhood Centre a priority.

Novartis: The newly approved delivery partner would be meeting with HDC officers shortly.

The Head of Development & Building Control also gave an update on some recent appeals for larger scale development proposals.

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

The Head of Strategic Planning gave an update on current progress and the revised timetable.  It was noted that some assessments were in the process of being updated, and most of the key evidence base work was well progressed.

The revised Local Development Scheme will be presented to Cabinet on 25 March 2021. Regulation 19 public consultation is now scheduled to take place in June and July 2021, with the local plan examination to commence in early 2022. The Plan is scheduled for adoption in November 2022 and would run from 2021 - 2038. It was noted that after the Regulation 19 consultation stage of the process the draft Plan would carry increasingly significant weight in decision-making.

To receive an update from the Corporate Project Manager on the Public Realm Strategy following the latest consultation responses from Members, Neighbourhood Councils and local stakeholders, prior to submission to Cabinet for consideration and adoption

The Corporate Project Manager gave a presentation on the draft strategy, which would be considered by Cabinet on 25 March.  The strategy took into account consultation responses from Neighbourhood Councils, Local Members and local stakeholders.

The strategy set out a vision for the town centre based on design principles and guidance, which would enhance the appearance of the town centre, improve connectivity, and give more freedom of movement for pedestrians. The design guidance would inform specific projects as funding comes available.  The Project Manager had also engaged with Horsham Cycle Forum and he thanked them for their constructive input.

The Group were supportive of the strategy.

The government has published a consultation on draft national design codes and is also proposing some updates to the NPPF. This presentation will summarise the proposals and outline key issues and implications arising from these proposals.

The Group received a presentation on the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) consultation on proposed amendments to the NPPF and on the introduction of a National Model Design Code. 

The amendments to the NPPF reflected recommendations in the Building Better Building Beautiful Commission with an emphasis on good, sustainable design.

The National Model Design Code will set out guidance for local authorities when developing their own local design codes.  Local authorities would be required to prepare local codes, which will carry weight in decision-making. It was noted that HDC already had a number of suitably qualified officers to undertake this work.

The Group noted the proposals and officers’ initial concerns and feedback.   The consultation period ran until 27 March and the Cabinet Member asked members of the Group to send their comments to the Planning Officer so they could be taken into consideration in the Council’s consultation response.

As the country emerges from the pandemic, Gatwick Airport has proposals to upgrade the airport. These will be considered through a national process known as a Development Consent Order. This presentation will set out the likely stages of the Development Consent Order and the role HDC has in this process.

The Group received a presentation on Gatwick Airport’s proposals to expand by bringing the existing standby (northern) runway into routine use for departures.  This Northern Runway Project is a ‘nationally significant infrastructure project’ and therefore subject to a Development Consent Order; the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) will consider the planning application and make a recommendation to the Secretary of State on whether the scheme should proceed.

The Group noted the role of local authorities in the application process, including the preparation of local impact reports and working on a Statement of Common Ground.  The DCO application timetable proposes public consultation in August/September 2021, and it is expected to be submitted to PINS by August 2022.

The Cabinet Member thanked Councillor Liz Kitchen for her involvement as HDC’s representative on Gatwick Airport Consultative Committee (GATCOM).

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

The Forward Plan extract was noted.