Agenda and draft minutes

To receive the notes of the meeting held on 7 March

The notes of the meeting held on 7 March were received by the Group.

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

The Head of Strategic Planning provided a brief update on the new Local Plan.

Provisional dates had been selected to hold workshops regarding the Local Plan, these dates would be sent to Members following the meeting.

Members were asked to provide questions and issues they would like to see raised prior to the workshops taking place.

Evidence base work was ongoing, and consultants had been commissioned with outcomes to be provided at the next meeting of the Planning & Development PDAG.

To receive a briefing from the Head of Strategic Planning

Work was ongoing to look at how HDC could successfully offset water usage in new developments. This work was scheduled to conclude in August 2022 but may need some extra time, the Group would be updated with its progress.

To receive feedback on the Big Conversation events

The Head of Strategic Planning provided an update on the Big Conversation events.

The first event was well attended and it was useful for officers to receive feedback from the public.

Handouts had been created that contain answers to questions that were asked in advance of the events and would be updated and published online as further events take place.

Further events were scheduled to take place in more rural locations within the district.

To provide feedback on this matter in the light of the proposed Notice of Motion at the Council meeting on 29 April on this issue

The Head of Strategic Planning reported that a notice of motion was submitted for consideration by Council on 27 April 2022. Bullet point 3 of the motion was as follows:

‘Ensure new housing is built to the highest possible energy efficiency standards through reviewing Local Plan policies and introducing additional Supplementary Planning Guidance to ensure the use of low-carbon materials, heat pumps rather than gas heating systems, and renewable energy as much as possible.’

Work that has already been undertaken included:

Careful consideration of current and future building regulations, including the forthcoming Future Homes Standard, and commissioning a Carbon Audit of the emerging Regulation 19 Plan, to inform policy recommendations.

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

The Head of Development and Building Control provided updates on the progress of key strategic sites allocated in the HDPF.

North Horsham / Mowbray:

·       Phase 1A for 193 dwellings had been approved and works were continuing on this phase.

·       Works would begin shortly on phase 1B for 197 dwellings.

·       The application for phase 7 was in abeyance due to the water neutrality issues.

·       Works were continuing on bunds and internal roads at phase 1.

·       Works to the new A264 roundabout had commenced.

·       Bohunt School had opened and a new bridge was in place over the A264.

·       A new health centre would be in phase 2 to allow for a larger site and to keep in line with CCG requirements.

Southwater:

·       Community infrastructure had been completed and transferred to the Parish Council.

·       Phase 5 was in abeyance due to the water neutrality issues.

West of Horsham (Highwood):

·       A fire station had been approved by WSCC and was under construction.

Kilnwood Vale:

·       Works were progressing on the site at various phases.

·       Works would commence on a bus gate at phase 2 shortly.

·       Works were continuing for housing at the land to the west of Kilnwood Vale.

·       An application for 116 dwellings was in abeyance due to water neutrality issues.

Novartis:

·       A delivery partner had been approved and the first pre-application discussions had taken place.

·       The first reserved matters application would be submitted before the end of 2022.

The Head of Development and Building Control provided a brief update on planning appeals.

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

The forward plan extract was noted by the Group.