Multiple local authorities across the Gatwick region are updating their local plans, but now is the time to get involved and have your say.
As we enter into a new year, Vail Williams continues to work closely with a number of local authorities across the Gatwick region, with a lot of activity and progress being made in local plan-making. To help understand what is happening in each council, we have summarised some of the key updates and how you can get involved.
Crawley Borough Council
Crawley have now progressed to the next stage of their Local Plan Review, publishing their updated Regulation 19 Submission draft Local Plan last week. Public consultation on the draft Plan is currently underway, providing an opportunity to make representation on the proposals to be considered by the Planning Inspector at Examination later this year.
The latest Regulation 19 revision of the Local Plan reverts back to safeguarding land for the future expansion of Gatwick Airport, removing commitment to the development of an Area Action Plan, and proposes Gatwick Green as the strategic employment allocation.
Consultation is open until 5:00 PM on 17 February 2021.
Horsham District Council
Horsham were due to commence with the next stage of their Local Plan Review at the end of last year however were delayed in putting the draft Plan before the Council’s committee. Their January 2021 Forward plan now indicates that the Regulation 19 Local Plan is due to be heard at Cabinet on 25 March 2021 followed by Council on 28 April 2021.
The publication or this draft Plan will hopefully provide some clarity in the Council’s preferred approach in regard to the strategic housing allocations they intend to progress with to the next stage of the Plan.
Mid Sussex District Council
After submitting their Site Allocations Development Plan Document (DPD) for Examination prior to Christmas, Mid Sussex have now reopened their call-for-sites process for a six-week Period until 19 February 2021.
This provides an opportunity for developers, landowners, site promoters and individuals to promote land which has not have been brought forward in the DPD, to now be considered as part of the Strategic Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (SHELAA). The SHELAA forms a key evidence base for the Council’s District Plan Review which is now underway.
Dates for the Examination process on the site allocation DPD have not yet been confirmed however this is expected to commence March 2021 and will likely take place via virtual examination proceedings.
Tandridge District Council
The Examination for Tandridge’s Local Plan 2033 is on-going and whilst there are still issues outstanding, the Planning Inspector, Philip Lewis, recently published the preliminary conclusions and advice on the Examination hearings which concluded back in November 2019.
The Inspector’s letter sets out their concerns with the soundness of the Plan and its ability to suitably meet housing need in the Borough over the Plan period.
The Council’s Planning Policy Committee are due to meet next week on the 20 January and will discuss their response to this letter which provides two way’s forward for the Council – to continue with resolving outstanding issues with the draft Plan or Withdraw the Plan and re-start the plan-making process in accordance with the most up-to-date national policy.
If you have any questions on any of the local plans in the region, contact our Gatwick planning experts today.
