Neighbourhood Plan Update
December 2024
We have been contacted by a number of residents whose questions we have referred to HDC, along with some of our own. The question and associated response received is shown below
- Why was a part of a recent council meeting taken ‘behind closed doors’ to discuss the Smock Alley site and the application referred to above? What was not for the public’s ears?
This was because confidential information was being discussed which if made public could prejudice the Councils case, and the Council has the statutory power to have discussion in private for this very reason
- Why did the secret discussion result in the HDC decision to not defend the DC/21/2007 reasons for refusal at the (at that time) scheduled appeal?
I cannot disclose confidential information regarding the committee meeting held in private. The Council did though notify the Planning Inspectorate the Council would no longer be defending the appeal as set out in the attached letter which is on the public file
- What prompted the applicant to withdraw his appeal and submit a fresh application? It seems clear from their agent’s e-mail confirming the withdrawal of the appeal that discussions had taken place with HDC and that you were expecting a fresh application. It also looks as though some sort of agreement to expedite a decision on the new application may have been reached?
Officers do not know why the applicant choose to withdraw the appeal and submit a fresh planning application. We understand they took advise from their own advisers but we have not been party to this information. No agreement on any matters was made with the agent/applicant. They did though inform officers of their intention to withdraw the appeal and submit a fresh application before doing so.
- How can the new application be considered in a non-prejudicial way when an identical version of it was refused just 6 months ago by an elected committee of the council?
The application will need to be considered in the same way as any other application. Previous decisions on the site are a material consideration and officers and committee members will need to consider these as well as all other material information
The Parish Council is particularly concerned around the lack of transparency of HDC in this matter, and its subsequent lack of communication with its parish councils and the wider public.
This is covered in response to point 1 above. The Council does not update Parish Councils and the wider public on the progress of appeals and would encourage interested parties to regularly view the public access file.
Please advise how you consider this to be anything other than irregular activity by HDC which compromises the retention of any confidence and trust of the residents it serves.
As set out above the Council is entitled to have discussion in private. It is unusual for a Council to decide to not defend an appeal and this would only be the case if the appeal was undefendable. This is not irregular and is a legitimate course of action the Council is entitled to take. Another such case was the Christs Hospital running track application DC/19/1149. As the Parish will be aware this site is allocated in the draft Neighbourhood Plan and the draft Local Plan and the Council does not have a 5 year housing land supply.
Outside any of these direct questions, please also tell us any other pertinent information that has arisen regarding this site, its current application and/or its proposed development.
The new application is progressing through its due process and all consultee and representation letters are available to view on the public file. This application is targeted for a December south meeting though this will only be the case if all relevant information is received for officers to make a recommendation.
October 2024
Horsham District Council has launched the next stage in the review of the emerging West Chiltington Neighbourhood Plan – the Regulation 16 Consultation.
This stage of the process is being run by Horsham District Council and information on how to respond can be found here.
March 2022.
Many of you will also be aware that Natural England has expressed concerns about new developments because of the impact on water abstraction and the effect this is having on protected habitats. They asked that HDC ensure that any new development in the Local Plan is water neutral (follow the link below to understand more about water neutrality).
HDC are currently taking legal advice on the matter and will meet with the relevant stakeholders to understand fully the implications but have stated that until the matter is resolved our Plan cannot move to the next stage of consultation which is submission at Reg 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.
March 2022
Please see the Draft Neighbourhood Plan documents
Please follow the link to a page showing the survey results and consultation responses which are held on a separate website.
Draft NP as at 28th March 2022
Letter from HDC – 7th February 2022