Letter published by the West Sussex County Times 20 August 2015

Sir,

Affordable Homes targets not met despite allocation of huge tracts of countryside for development

Letter published by the West Sussex County Times, 30 July 2015

Sir,

Planning Inspector’s decision: an open door to developers

According to the Press Statement issued by the Horsham District Council’s Communications Manager, although Cllr Vickers (Cabinet Member for Planning and Development) is “disappointed” that the Planning Inspector, Mr Geoff Salter, has increased the house-building target for the District to 800 houses per year, his ‘note’ (in which he sets out his instructions to the Council) “does give us some certainty for the foreseeable future.”

This terse Press Statement is clearly an attempt at shaping the public’s perception by glossing over the unfortunate reality and likely consequences for the District of Mr Salter’s directive to the Council, and the Council’s unwillingness either to question or challenge it.

“Some certainty for the foreseeable future” includes the certainty that following the adoption of the Horsham District Planning Framework (HDPF), and notwithstanding the allocation of sites with the capacity to meet Mr Salter’s imposed and excessive target, developers will declare that the District does not have a demonstrable 5year housing land supply – and will seek more permissions at Appeal to build on unallocated sites.

Note that immediately the HDPF is adopted, the 5year housing land supply figure will be inflated by the addition to it of the shortfall in houses built since 2011 against the new and retrospective target of 800 houses per year. Accordingly, a five year requirement of around 5,000 houses seems likely.

Of concern, too, is Mr Salter’s instruction to the Council that it review the HDPF within three years of the Framework’s adoption, with, according to the Press Statement, “a view to identifying extra numbers”. This is an open door for developers to press for yet more houses to be added to the excessive target – and the inclusion of additional sites.

Countryside adjoining villages throughout Horsham District will continue to be at risk with consequent uncertainty for communities.

Yours faithfully,

Dr Roger F Smith
For CPRE Sussex (Horsham District)

Letter published by the West Sussex County Times 9 July 2015

Sir,

Horsham District Planning Framework (HDPF) – Resumed Hearings

According to a press release issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, Saturday 4 July, “The Government believes that wherever possible, planning decisions should be made by local people”, and “will focus” on “what people care about – local roads, schools and homes that meet their needs. That means giving local people more of a say on where new homes go and what they look like.”

Letter published by the West Sussex County Times 28 May 2015

Sir,

Accommodating the additional 2000 houses imposed by Planning Inspector: an open door for developers

Letter published by the West Sussex County Times 28 May 2015

Sir,

Accommodating the additional 2000 houses imposed by Planning Inspector: an open door for developers

Letter published by the West Sussex County Times 21 May 2015

Sir,

Dear Sir,

Mr Jeremy Quin, the newly elected MP for Horsham makes no mention of planning in his article ‘Jeremy Quin: now the hard work begins’ (WSCT May 14, 2015).

CPRE Sussex (Horsham District) has responded to each of the HDPF Proposed Main Modifications listed in the table below. Submissions were made on-line by means of Horsham District Council’s consultation portal. Please download the proposals below.

Letter published by the West Sussex County Times 29 January 2015