Agenda and draft minutes

Venue: Wallis Room and via Remote Video Link

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

Items
No. Item

1.

Notes of previous meeting pdf icon PDF 202 KB

To receive the notes of the meeting held on 16 May.

Minutes:

The notes of the previous meeting held on 16 May were received.

2.

Norfolk Square/Park Terrace Gardens Conservation Area

To update the Group on the Norfolk Square/Park Terrace Gardens Conservation area.

Minutes:

The Senior Conservation Officer gave a presentation on the proposed Conservation Area, which had been requested by a number of residents and supported by Local Members.  The area is predominantly characterised by high quality Victorian properties with decorative features, built from the 1860s. 

 

The Group discussed the streets and some individual buildings within the area and noted that consultation responses would inform the final Conservation Area proposals, with a view to ratifying it early next year.

 

Members were advised that this would be the fourth Conservation Area within Horsham Town.  The status gave more control over improvements and alterations to properties to help prevent homogenous redevelopment.

 

The Cabinet Member stated that residents from the area were very welcome to attend the Cabinet meeting on 21 July where Cabinet were recommended to approve the draft Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan for public consultation (from 1 September to 6 October).

3.

CIL Governance for the unparished areas of Horsham Town

The Council adopted its Charging Schedule for the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) on 26 April 2017 and implementation of the levy commenced on 1 October 2017 to allow funds to be raised from developers to pay for infrastructure that is needed to support growth.

The Council has overarching responsibility for the allocation of CIL monies and reporting the amount of money collected and spent. At the December 2019 Council meeting, a report setting out the Community Infrastructure Levy Governance Arrangements for the main CIL receipts was agreed.

 

This item seeks feedback on the delegation of CIL Governance for the unparished area of the town and how local members, neighbourhood councils and interested parties can engage in the process.

Minutes:

The Head of Development & Building Control reminded the Group of the background to CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy) funding, which was a charge on new development that raised funds for infrastructure, facilities and services. 

 

Parish councils’ CIL contributions were currently managed by the individual parishes.  With regards to the unparished area of Horsham town, it was proposed that the Governance arrangements be delegated to the Director of Place. It was though suggested that a panel be established to provide recommendations to the Director of Place to help allocate contributions.  It was proposed that the panel would include the Cabinet Member Planning, Horsham Town, a local Ward Member and a Neighbourhood Councillor from each of the three neighbourhood council areas. 

 

The Director of Place confirmed that officers were already engaging with parish councils and ideas from the neighbourhood councils would be encouraged. The Group discussed the proposed makeup of the panel, and how it would be informed by the work undertaken by the two CIL officers before making recommendations to the Director of Place.  The proposal would be considered by Cabinet in September.

 

The Head of Development & Building Control confirmed that a panel to look at the wider CIL monies for the rest of the district would be established in due course in accordance with the Governance arrangements already agreed by Full Council.

4.

Shoreham Cement Works Area Action Plan Consultation

To update Members on the South Downs National Park Issues and Options consultations being held for this site.

Minutes:

The Senior Planning Officer gave a summary of the South Downs National Park Authority’s proposals for the Shoreham Cement Works as a sustainable mixed-use development.  Public consultation on the Area Action Plan (AAP) was currently underway and Members were briefed on the five proposed options for the site.  The options included mixed-use schemes with employment and up to 400 new homes.  Members were encouraged to visit the SDNP on-line consultation for details of areas within the site and of the proposed options.  Consultation on the preferred option, followed by examination, was programmed for 2023.

 

The Head of Strategic Planning advised that the Council’s consultation response was being prepared. The Group requested that it should include comments regarding access to the site, the impact of additional traffic and consideration of sustainable transport solutions. It was also agreed that the impact on Steyning, Upper Beeding, Bramber and Shoreham in terms of infrastructure and services should be highlighted in the Council’s response.

5.

Water Neutrality & Local Plan Update

To update the Group on Water Neutrality and the Local Plan.

Minutes:

The Head of Strategic Planning advised that work on an overall mitigation strategy was progressing and technical information was being collated. 

 

The Cabinet Member confirmed that she urged speedy delivery of the Local Plan, but acknowledged that it was not possible to confirm a timetable at present because water neutrality was a complex issue involving all affected local authorities and other stakeholders.   

 

It was noted that further workshops on the Local Plan for all Members were being arranged for October.

6.

Facilitating Appropriate Development Guidance Notes

To advise Members of guidance being prepared to assist the preparation of high quality development proposals prior to the adoption of the emerging Local Plan.

Minutes:

The Senior Strategic Planning Officer advised that a Facilitating Appropriate Development guidance note (FAD) was being prepared because the current Local Plan, the Horsham District Planning Framework, is over five years old. This means that some policies in the plan were considered out of date when the Council does not have a 5-year land supply.   The FAD is intended to give advice to developers.  It covers a number of topics including locational suitability, deliverability, housing needs, biodiversity and climate change. 

 

The Group noted that this was not a statutory document but as a guide to best practice it would encourage and support good development, and also carry some weight at any appeal. 

 

The Director of Place confirmed that the FAD would be used to assist decision-making until the new Local Plan was in place.  The next steps are to take the document to the Cabinet meeting in September and Council in September where it would be recommended it be endorsed.

7.

Forward Plan Extract for the Planning and Development Portfolio pdf icon PDF 187 KB

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

Minutes:

The forward plan extract was noted.