Southern Water Works – Smock Alley Commencing 6th November
Southern Water will be carrying out low-level vegetation removal, trial holes, a drainage survey, and drilling a ground investigation borehole at their site on Smock Alley. Further details are available in the attached letter.
Meet & Greet – 2nd December 10:00 – 12:00
Our annual Meet & Greet is being held at The Pavilion on 2nd December. We invite everyone to call in for a drink and to meet the councillors informally. Our Five Year Plan will be on display and we’d welcome your comments and ideas for the future.
Southlands Lane 30th November 2023
Southlands Lane will be closed for up to 5 days from 30th November 2023 while BT undertakes Fibre Optic works. The restriction will be in place between 09:30 and 15:00 and it is hoped the work will be completed on 30th November
Road Closure – East Street, Threals Lane & Broadford Bridge Road 5th December
East Street will be closed for up to 5 days from 5th December while BT undertake work to replace a decayed telecoms pole outside Downsview Grange, between Broadford Bridge Road and Coolham Road.
Threals Lane will be closed for approx 100 metres, between Roundabout Lane and Grove Lane for up to 5 days from 5th December while BT undertake work to replace a decayed telecoms pole opposite Paragon.
Broadford Bridge Road will be closed from New House Farm to Greenway, between East Street and Harbolets Road for up to 5 days from 5th December for the replacement of a decayed BT telegraph pole.
The restrictions will be in place from 08:00 until 16:00, however WSCC has advised the timings of the closures on East Street and Broadford Bridge Road will not coincide. It is hoped all work will be completed on 6th December
Road Closure – East Street 18th – 22nd December
East Street will be closed between Broadford Bridge Road and Coolham Road to allow for new sewer connection works. The closure will be in place 24hours a day.
Road Closure – Southlands Lane and Smock Alley
Southlands Lane and Smock Alley will be closed from 11th December 2023 for up to 5 days while BT undertakes accessing boxes and gullys for customer connection. The restriction will be in place day-time only from 09:30 until 15:30. It is estimated the work will be completed on 15th December.
Allotment Waiting List
The current waiting list for our allotments is unusually short, so if you are interested in taking an allotment next year, now is the time to let us know. Contact The Allotment Association by email: allotments@wcwebsite178
Road Closures – Sinnocks and Southlands Lane – February 2024
The road between the East Street Junction and Gayswood Nursery, Sinnocks and Southlands Lane will be closed between 19th February 2024 and 1st March 2024 for BT to undertake work
County Councillor Report
West Sussex County Councillor Charlotte Kenyon’s monthly report can be read here.
Running a Business From Home – Guidance
If you are considering running a business from home you may need planning permission to do so. This guide offers some basic advice on that.
Would you like to become a more climate friendly business?
Horsham District Council wants to understand the support that businesses need to take action on climate change.
Businesses are invited to complete a short online survey to tell us about the actions they are taking and the barriers they currently face to become a more climate friendly business.
Businesses are crucial to becoming a carbon neutral and climate resilient District. Your views will help inform a draft Climate Change Action Strategy which outlines the work HDC, its key partners, and the wider community will need to take to achieve this.
If you are a business in the Horsham District please share your plans and what support you need by completing a short online survey by Friday 13 October to be entered into a prize draw. It should only take about 10 minutes to complete.
More details and the survey link can be found at www.horsham.gov.uk/carbonneutralbusiness
Neighbourhood Plan Update
Many of you will be aware that following concerns expressed by Natural England (NE), all new development has been suspended in the Horsham and Crawley areas because of the impact on water extraction and the effect this is having on protected habitats. NE requires any new development to demonstrate water neutrality. At the present time, how this will achieved has not been established.
HDC is currently taking legal advice on the matter, and will meet with the relevant stakeholders to fully understand the implications, but has stated that until the matter is resolved, our Neighbourhood Plan cannot not move to the next stage of consultation which is submission at Regulation 15.
The Parish Council has questioned HDC officers about the way forward and who will pay for the work required and how long it will take to move to the next stage. There are no timescales, but they have agreed to fund the work needed once they understand the issue more fully. They are, however, quite adamant that if the Plan was submitted at this time it would not meet the Basic Conditions (which are a legal requirement) and it would be rejected.
This stalemate is not helpful since a great deal of work has gone into getting the Plan to this stage, but we have no option but to wait until the legal position is clarified.
We do not intend to make any changes to the Draft document which has been amended to reflect the comments made by residents and statutory consultees. The Draft , along with correspondence with HDC and NE can be found below.
We will keep you informed as we know more.
April 2023
Following the most recent meeting with Horsham District Council, The Parish Council is disappointed not to be able to progress our Neighbourhood Plan. HDC’s document dated April 2023 explains their position
Please see the Draft NP as at 28th March 2022
Letter from HDC – 7th February 2022
Letter from HDC – 28th February 2022
Letter from HDC – 26th April 2022
Letter from Natural England – 23rd March 2022
(Please follow the link to a page showing the Regualtion 14 survey results and consultation responses which are held on a separate website).
A Village with a Past & a Future
Nestling near the foot of the South Downs between Storrington and Pulborough, just over 50 miles from London, the picturesque village of West Chiltington is home to a 12th century church, a beautifully restored windmill and has a colourful history dating back to Norman times.
Covering an area of just over 6.69 sq miles, with a population of approx. 3,500, the parish encompasses a variety of land usage from residential and agricultural, to small businesses and leisure facilities.
Your Council
The Council is the first tier of local government for West Chiltington comprising 13 Councillors who are elected or co-opted for up to four years. The Parish Council meets on the second Tuesday of every month and is always keen to ensure that it reflects the wishes of the electorate and as such, all meetings are open to the public and include a session for public comments. Councillors work in partnership with local organisations, West Sussex County Council and Horsham District Council to preserve the essence of the area, and to protect the identity and character of the parish for the enjoyment of parishioners, visitors and future generations.
The Parish Council has statutory duties and powers to provide services for the Parish of West Chiltington. Within these powers, we provide allotments, community buildings, dog and litter bins, community facilities, and we own and maintain many areas of public open space within the village on behalf of the community.
Parish Council Office
The Parish Council Office is open on a Tuesday and Wednesday morning from 10:00am-1:00pm.
In an emergency, The Parish Clerk can be contacted on 07483 114836 outside these hours
Defibrillator Locations:
- In the phone box opposite The Queens Head Pub – The Hollow
- In the phone box opposite NISA Stores – Haglands Lane
- The Village Hall