19 June 2013
New Mid Sussex District Plan
The public consultation period has now ended on the proposed submission draft of Mid Sussex District Council’s new District Plan. This plan, if and when adopted, will direct strategic planning across the District from now until 2031. The plan will now go forward for a public examination by the Planning Inspectorate, probably around the turn of the year.
I am asked to concentrate on a summary of my 5 page objections to the housing numbers in our draft Local Plan. This is really about two words: “ Strategic Planning”, which sounds boring , which it is, until a disaster caused by it becomes too obvious to ignore. I refer to the appallingly excessive housing demands of the Chichester District Council (CDC) for building 3550 houses by 2029, including 1000 West of the city, 1000 at Tangmere, 500 at Westhampnet etc. The interesting part is my assessment of how this has wrongly happened, so I will mention that first, and give a few reasons. For my full assessment, any CPRE member who wishes, can supply me with an e-mail address to cause 5 pages to be sent back in return.
The principle focus within the District remains on the evolving Local Plan, which is now running six months behind the original schedule. The second phase of public consultation into Arun’s draft Local Plan will now take place in the late spring of 2013 due to the number of responses received during the first phase. Critical features of the Plan include Economy, Housing and Transport. Local MP Nick Herbert has been actively involved in the debate in highlighting the deficiencies of the current process, in particular the fact that the Plan making process has been put ahead of an effective assessment of infrastructure capacity and sustainability. There is an urgent need to look at capacity, sustainability and infrastructure across a larger geographical area to take account of the overall scale and impact of potential development and reflect that in responses to the Plan.
Lewes District does not currently have an adopted Core Strategy, so will be vulnerable to development applications after the end of this month. One such greenfield application (in Wivelsfield parish, on the edge of Haywards Heath) was listed this week; another (Ringmer parish) appears to be imminent.
Wealden District Council and The South Downs National Park Authority have now adopted their Core Strategy Local Plan, and subject to any High Court appeal before 12 April this is now settled, which is good news as we generally supported their plan.
First, a call for help – we have the beginnings of a District Group in Wealden North but urgently need a volunteer with planning knowledge and experience to monitor weekly planning lists and advise/respond to enquiries. We would also benefit from “eyes and ears” in our towns and villages - individuals alert to inappropriate development proposals and local issues. If you can help, please e-mail Lesley at the office.
