Agenda and draft minutes

To receive the notes of the meeting held on 13 September.

The notes of the meeting held on 13 September were received.

To receive a briefing from the Head of Strategic Planning

The Head of Strategic Planning gave an update on water neutrality and water resources.

Work is ongoing to consider the impact on the emerging Local Plans in the Sussex North Water Resource Area.

Natural England has recently provided Frequently Asked Questions, background evidence and a position statement to Local Authorities. Horsham District Council have now provided Planning Policy, Development Management and Neighbourhood Plan advice. Natural England and the Local Authority advice is available on the Council’s website.

Funding had been secured from the LEP to provide additional staff support and expertise for the affected authorities.

Evidence base work had been undertaken to clarify the level of water required to be offset and work on the detail of the mitigation strategy is ongoing.

Timescales for the completion of this work is difficult to predict as delivery of the solution is reliant on Southern Water and requires the agreement of Natural England which is outside the Council’s control.

The PDAG was updated on water resources.

In 2050 England will require 3435 million litres of extra public water per day. To address this issue England had been divided into five regions to find solutions.

Water Resources South East had been identified as needing to provide 50% of future water coming from this region.

The Environment Agency had requested water companies in the South East to provide a regional plan showing how water supplies could be delivered in the future.

High level consultation documents have been produced to look at how to meet increased future demand for water including, water efficiency measures and potential new infrastructure of a reservoir within the District.

PDAG members were interested to hear the updates, some discussion arose regarding the achievability of water demand and further information will be reported at future PDAGs.

To update the group on the Local Plan Review process including evidence based updates

The PDAG was updated on the Local Plan.

Timescales for the production of a Regulation 19 document  remain uncertain due to water neutrality.

A Councillor Cabinet Roadshow is planned for late April/Early May to discuss environmental and planning issues with the parishes and communities.

Members discussed the need for a proactive approach and agreed that HDC had a strategy and achievable plan. Moving forward, Members agreed that all Member workshops to discuss the plan would be helpful.

Officers reminded the PDAG the Government’s standard housing methodology remains the starting point for plan making. However, water neutrality may mean that the Local Plan will need to set lower housing targets.

Officers will provide an update on this study which is being undertaken by West Sussex County Council.

The group received a presentation on the A24 Worthing to Horsham Feasibility Study which was part of the West Sussex Transport Plan.

The objective of the study was to address highway related transport issues along the main routes considering different modes of transport, support the shift to sustainable transport modes and support strategic development and economic growth.

Members received information on proposed interventions.

The Hop Oast, Buck Barn and Washington roundabout junction improvements were a strategic priority for Horsham District Council. Junction and capacity improvements along with bus priority measures would enhance the public transport offering which was welcomed. There was support for the Washington to Ashington cycle facilities, although some refinement / clarification was required on how cyclists from Washington village would join improved cycle facilities.

Further studies would be required to support the proposals (cost / benefit analysis), in particular for; A24 Grinders Lane proposals and understanding cumulative effects and interdependencies.

Members were advised that officers were generally in support of the proposals, further studies were required and funding had not yet been secured.

The Cabinet Member for Planning & Development encouraged Members to provide input to capture local knowledge and experience by the deadline for feedback to WSCC  by 14 March. It was suggested that feedback should be obtained from local Southwater Councillors who were not present at the meeting.

Officers will provide an update of current strategic planning work streams being carried out in addition to water neutrality.

The Head of Strategic Planning updated the group on current strategic planning work areas.

Current areas of work were; guidance documents for ‘Facilitating Appropriate Development’, guidance notes for ‘Biodiversity and Green Infrastructure’, Conservation Areas, design guides and CIL charging schedule.

It was reported that work on Street Design and Parking Studies was currently ongoing, Member involvement would be extremely important and discussed at  future PDAGs. Affordable Housing would also be discussed at a future meeting.

An update was given on the three Conservation Areas which had recently been appraised and subject to consultations, have resulted in a proposed extension to each Conservation Area. A report recommending approval of the revised Conservation Areas would be considered by Cabinet on 24 March.

The main changes proposed are: London Road Conservation Area boundary to be sited on the boundary of Horsham Park and 60 London Road. Richmond Road Conservation Area to include editorial changes and the addition of an audit map of positive and negative buildings. Horsham Town Centre Conservation Area to include editorial changes, addition to text relating to shop fronts, signage and addition of an audit map of positive and negative buildings.

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 provided an email update to the PDAG after the meeting.

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

The Forward Plan extract was noted.