On the third day of the programmed four-week Horsham District Local Plan examination hearings (Thursday 12 December), Horsham District Council was surprised when the Government-appointed Planning Inspector announced a pause in the examination process to consider extra information.
The Inspector has now written to the Council stating that he is ending the examination hearings, which are an important stage in the Local Plan process. No explanations or feedback have yet been shared with the Council regarding this decision. The Inspector did not invite responses but the Council has sent an open letter to him today which can be found on our Local Plan webpage.
The Council’s Planning and Infrastructure Cabinet Member Cllr Ruth Fletcher commented:
“This unnecessary delay is incredibly frustrating. The benefits of passing this plan are obvious in terms of controlling speculative development. Passing the plan will mean more affordable homes. It will mean that new homes will be warm homes, that residents can afford to heat and that help us meet our carbon standards. It will mean better protection for our green spaces and for wildlife. It will mean getting infrastructure such as schools, doctors, leisure facilities and networks for walking and cycling delivered along with the housing.
“The Government has a stated aim to ensure all areas of the country are covered by a Local Plan and we will continue to explore every avenue to meet this requirement so that decisions about where new homes go in our District can be taken locally.
“In the meantime, the Council will continue to carry out its duties in terms of determining planning applications. We will also be getting in touch with Parish Councils when we know more to explore the implications for Neighbourhood Plans, including those which are yet to be finalised”