Horsham District Planning Framework Alternative Strategy Jan 2014
Press Release 21st January 2014
An Alternative Strategy for Horsham
Councillors representing Horsham Town and Broadbridge Heath were dismayed and disappointed with the proposed Horsham District Planning Framework (HDPF). The document that was issued for consultation in August 2013 had no options for consideration by councillors and the public. HDC’s strategy had been drawn together without reference to local people and local businesses. The strategy is flawed due to the undemocratic process, and this has left HDC in a corner with no alternatives to offer. However, the public were invited to submit alternatives.
We have read and listened to the comments and objections that have been made about the HDPF by organisations such as Horsham Society, CPRE, RAGE and Mole Valley District Council, and we have looked at the process and policies being prepared in other authorities. We have now produced an alternative strategy to contribute to the debate. This strategy includes revised policies where we believed it would be beneficial to strengthen those policies included in the HDPF. We hope that this document will be given due consideration by HDC and by all interested parties so that the final proposed strategy will be acceptable to a majority of residents and councillors.
Key points of our alternative strategy are:-
1. We support the housing numbers in the HDPF. We consider that there should be organic growth in both housing and the economy across Horsham District, leading to improved sustainability. The 2011 Census showed that in 5 parishes the population actually decreased between 2001 and 2011. The ageing population in our rural communities has to be recognised. Reliance on large scale developments exposes the Council to a greater risk of not meeting its five year land supply due to delays in delivery, caused by the complexity in agreeing, planning and delivering the infrastructure requirements for these major sites. Smaller sites can be delivered more quickly, support local firms and can be assimilated more easily within communities.
2. The economic strategy approved by the Cabinet in November was unsound and unsubstantiated, failing to recognise Horsham’s place in the Gatwick Diamond. There was no economic case for a new business park in the north of Horsham when so much of our existing warehouse and business space is under-utilised and lacking investment. There is no evidence of businesses wanting to move to Horsham and there are vacant premises available across the Gatwick Diamond which are better located.
3. The proposed strategy makes no allowance for the possibility of a second runway at Gatwick. This would have a harmful impact on any development north of Horsham. We consider that there should be a rolling programme of development until there is certainty about the runway.
4. There are choices available and these have NOT been examined. The Preferred Option put forward by HDC does not match the needs of local communities and in particular it does not protect the character and expectations of Horsham town; it sets out a programme which would obliterate green fields and add significant pressure to local infrastructure which is already over-stretched. The town is struggling to meet the needs of large developments already approved in and around Horsham town. The current commercial and industrial presence in the town would be greatly altered and this could compromise existing businesses. There is a general aversion to any possibility of Horsham merging into Crawley because this would damage the specific identities of each town. In this strategy, we have defined the boundaries of Horsham Town and propose that any development should only take place within the boundaries to retain the distinct nature of Horsham. Further development to meet the needs of an expanded Gatwick should be met by the provision of a new town on the A23 corridor in agreement with Crawley BC and Mid Sussex DC.
Cllr Frances Haigh, Horsham Park Ward
Cllr Leonard Crosbie, Trafalgar Ward
Cllr Malcolm Curnock, Broadbridge Heath Ward
Cllr Godfrey Newman, Forest Ward
Cllr Christine Costin, Trafalgar Ward
Cllr David Skipp, Roffey North
Cllr David Sheldon, Denne Ward
SAVE HORSHAM! SAY NO! TO CRAWSHAM! 