Horsham District's emerging Local Plan and a significant appeal decision
Written by Roger F Smith28 April 2013
Emerging Local Plan: How many houses?
Horsham District Council (HDC) has yet to make public the number of houses that it will plan for in the period to 2031. However, statements made by senior members of the Council indicate an intention to set a huge number in conformity with that set by the South East Plan (SEP) even though the latter was revoked 27 March 2013. Unfortunately, these Councillors believe that a lower number would be rejected by the Inspectorate and that they have no choice but to conform to the SEP target.
26 April 2013
News update from Mid-Sussex CPRE, including updates on the Mid Sussex District Plan.
Letter from Horsham District CPRE warns of risk of Local Plan deadline
Written by Roger F Smith4 April 2013
The following letter from Dr Roger F Smith on behalf of CPRE Sussex Horsham District was published in today's West Sussex Times:
CPRE Sussex has written to all Sussex MPs, Nick Boles MP Planning Minister and Eric Pickles MP Communities Secretary calling on them to respond as a matter of urgency to fears that government policy and practice will fail to protect the Sussex countryside.
Madeleine to run marathon for CPRE Sussex
4 April 2013
A first time marathon runner is taking on the challenge of the Brighton Marathon on 14 April in memory of her godfather, Nic Packwood, who died suddenly last year at the age of 55. Madeleine Voice, 25, is fundraising for CPRE Sussex Countryside Trust as a tribute to Nic, who was a dedicated volunteer for many years for the Sussex branch of Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE).
Developers Urban Splash have submitted proposals for a 231 flat development on Brighton's Preston Road, overlooking Preston Park. Residents and local civic bodies complain that not only will the building affect the character of the area and the Grade II listed park, but architect's working with The Brighton Society calculate that the building's twin towers, the highest over 160 feet tall, will seriously shadow the park during six months of the year.
The UK's sea user stakeholder groups were disappointed to learn that they only intended to include 31 of the 127 proposed Marine Conservation Zones for adoption in 2013. In response to the consultation, CPRE Sussex submitted the following submission:
27 March 2013
Dear Sirs,
Marine Conservation Zones – Consultation
We note with dismay the Government’s proposal to adopt just 31 Marine Conservation Zones around the coast of England and Wales in 2013. Whilst there is mention of this being a first step, it is essential that the Government takes a far more positive approach : just 31 proposed MCZs compared to the network of 127 zones recommended by the sea user stakeholder groups shows a distinct lack of commitment. As with many issues we wonder what the point is in having stakeholder groups and the like and then getting nowhere near to accepting their recommendations in a sensible timescale. Bodies such as ours in CPRE Sussex are significantly volunteer based with people having a deep commitment to issues and we hope that this Consultation will be taken more seriously.
The sea is linked around our coast. It is not split into sections and it is clear that the ecologically coherent network of MCZs strongly recommended is based on that. Even from the administrative and policing point-of-view, it would also seem far more sensible to have a more coherent, linked approach, let alone the beneficial impact on the environment. How will the public understand that fragmented nature where our Sussex coastline seems to be a sad example with such limited coverage by the MCZs proposed for adoption in 2013?
We make the comparison with the billions of pounds the country has invested through our water companies in the enhanced treatment of sewage effluent discharged to our rivers and direct to estuaries and to the sea. Why was that supported by our Government? Was it to enhance the marine environment or just the reluctant acceptance of a diktat from Brussels? We do not understand why there appears to be no comprehensive, joined up thinking.
As the Sussex Branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, we see the marine environment as important to our local aims and would want to see the MCZs implemented nationally. We want to have a vibrant and thriving countryside and we see the coastal waters as a key element. What could be better than the coastal waters and sea bed being ecologically excellent with flora, fish fauna and all other marine organisms and creatures? This would enhance tourism; boost the enjoyment by our residents of their coast and countryside; and provide a sound basis for a more successful fishing industry, all of which would provide socio-economic benefits to the local economy thereby supporting our countryside and those living in the area. In these financially straitened times surely this would be a wise investment?
We look forward to hearing of a much enlarged programme of adoption for 2013.
Yours faithfully
Stuart Derwent
CPRE Sussex Countryside Trust, Brighton and Hove District Chair.
Find out more about Marine Conservation Zones on The Wildlife Trusts website
Image above: Proposed conservation zones off the Sussex coast
Local people are being asked to have a say and back the proposal for the Brighton & Hove and Lewes Downs to become recognised as a world-class environment, by achieving international Biosphere Reserve status from the United Nations.
Environmental groups met to discuss fracking in Lenham on 26 January, led by CPRE Protect Kent. Keith Taylor MEP, Brenda Pollack (Friends of the Earth) and Georgia Wrighton (CPRE Sussex) gave recommendations at the meeting for actions, resources and events to raise concern about fracking.
