Horsham District Local Plan 2023 - 2040 (Regulation 19)

          
 

The Horsham District Local Plan 2023 - 2040 (Regulation 19) Period of Representation is now closed.

The Horsham District Local Plan sets out the proposed strategy and planning policies for considering new development proposals within the District, excluding the South Downs National Park, for the plan period 2023 - 2040.

The Regulation 19 Local Plan was published for a six week period of representation, running from 9am Friday 19 January until 5pm Friday 1 March 2024.  During this time you were invited to make written comments as to whether the Local Plan complies with the necessary legislation, and also complies with national planning policy (known as the Test of Soundness). Any representations received outside of this period will not be accepted.

The following documents have been published for your consideration:

   

• Horsham District Local Plan 2023-2040 Regulation 19 - this is the emerging Local Plan for Horsham District.
• Horsham District Local Plan: Policies Map - this is the Regulation 19 interactive map. In addition, PDF maps are also available to view under 'Consultation Documents' - the Index Map and Water Neutrality Map should be viewed alongside each individual Inset Map to ensure all relevant policies are identified. The Policies Map shows sites that have been allocated for residential, employment or other uses.  It also shows designations that are mentioned within the Local Plan such as environmental designations and built-up area boundaries.  
• Horsham District Local Plan: Sustainability Appraisal - this report updates the previous Sustainability Appraisal (SA) work undertaken by Land Use Consultants (LUC) and is the key report for assessing the effects that the Regulation 19 Local Plan has on environmental, social and economic issues. It should be read in conjunction with the LUC Sustainability Appraisal July 2021.  The SA is a legal requirement.
• Horsham District Local Plan: Habitats Regulations Assessment - this report identifies and assesses any aspects of the Regulation 19 Local Plan that would have an adverse effect on the integrity of European sites (Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs), candidate Special Areas of Conservation (cSACs), potential Special Protection Areas (pSPAs) and Ramsar sites). This is a legal requirement.

Hard copies of each of these documents are also available to inspect, during normal opening hours, at:

• Horsham District Council Offices - Parkside, Chart Way, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 1RL (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
• Libraries - Billingshurst, Henfield, Horsham, Pulborough, Southwater, Steyning, Storrington* and Crawley. Find your nearest Library * Storrington library will be closed for 4 weeks from Monday 5 February until Monday 4 March 2024. During this time documents will be available to view at Chanctonbury Leisure Centre.

In addition to these key documents, you may also wish to review the Horsham District Local Plan: Evidence Base.  This is a collection of documents that support the production of the Local Plan https://www.horsham.gov.uk/planning/local-plan/local-plan-review-evidence-base

How can I comment?

Full details in relation to this Regulation 19 stage, including how to make written comments, are set out in the Frequently Asked Questions and Guidance for Making Representations, a copy of which is available to download and view at the bottom of this page - Please ensure that you have read this paper prior to completing your representation(s).

The best way to make comments on the soundness of the Regulation 19 documentation is by using our online consultation response form (questionnaire).  The online form ensures that your representations are recorded and summarised accurately and are also processed as quickly as possible.  The online form also allows for attachments to be uploaded (e.g. more detailed comments or supplementary evidence). You can save your online consultation response at any time, and return to it at a later date by entering your registered login.

If you are unable to reply using the online consultation form, please download and complete an electronic version of the response form and email it to localplan@horsham.gov.uk

Alternatively, you can print out a copy of the form to complete with a pen (using black ink only), and then send it to:

Strategic Planning Team, Horsham District Council, Parkside, Chart Way, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 1RL

Please ensure that you fill in a separate 'Part B' form for each different part of the key documents that you are commenting on.  This is to ensure that the Local Plan Inspector is clear on what each comment relates to.

NB: PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT MULTIPLE COPIES OF THE SAME RESPONSE (e.g. Online and email, online and post).

What will happen to my representation?

All comments received within the period of representation will be reviewed and published online, subject to them meeting the standards set out in the Frequently Asked Questions and Guidance for Making Representations. Please be aware that we expect to receive a high volume of representations, all of which have to be read and reviewed by Officers. This is a timely process to undertake. Therefore, comments from respondents will not be available to view online until after the close of the period of representation (Friday 1 March 2024). An update in relation to the date of publication will be provided shortly after the close date when we have had the opportunity to evaluate the number of representations received.

Horsham District Council is committed to the fair treatment of all people, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race (including colour, nationality, ethnicity or national origin), relation or belief (including non-belief), sex and sexual orientation.

We have sought to ensure that this documentation is as accessible as possible but if you have any particular needs or requirements in relation to this consultation that you wish to raise with us, please contact strategic.planning@horsham.gov.uk or telephone 01403 215398.