VIDEO: Three-day council exhibition on controversial housing blueprint opens

A three-day exhibition in Horsham on the council’s approved planning framework opened yesterday (Thursday June 6).
JPCT 050614 S14240150x HDC planning framework. Swan walk exhibition. Claire Vickers and Roger Patterson -photo by Steve Cobb SUS-140506-141238001JPCT 050614 S14240150x HDC planning framework. Swan walk exhibition. Claire Vickers and Roger Patterson -photo by Steve Cobb SUS-140506-141238001
JPCT 050614 S14240150x HDC planning framework. Swan walk exhibition. Claire Vickers and Roger Patterson -photo by Steve Cobb SUS-140506-141238001

Cabinet members and officers from Horsham District Council were on hand to talk to members of the public in Swan Walk Shopping Centre about the Horsham District Planning Framework Proposed Submission.

The plans, which include controversial 2,500 homes and a new business park north of the A264, were approved by HDC’s Full Council on April 30 despite opposition from several Conservatives and most Lib Dem councillors.

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The ensuing six week period of representation will close on June 27. After that the Proposed Submission, along with comments received from the public, will be sent to the planning inspector.

JPCT 050614 S14240150x HDC planning framework. Swan walk exhibition. Claire Vickers and Roger Patterson -photo by Steve Cobb SUS-140506-141238001JPCT 050614 S14240150x HDC planning framework. Swan walk exhibition. Claire Vickers and Roger Patterson -photo by Steve Cobb SUS-140506-141238001
JPCT 050614 S14240150x HDC planning framework. Swan walk exhibition. Claire Vickers and Roger Patterson -photo by Steve Cobb SUS-140506-141238001

They will then test the plan’s soundness during a series of public examination hearings later this year.

The exhibition will be open in Unit 65 in Swan Walk Shopping Centre, opposite Country Casuals, today (Friday June 6) from 2-6pm, and on Saturday June 7 from 10am to 4pm.

Claire Vickers (Con, Southwater), cabinet member for living and working communities, said: “I would hope it attracts people who had a vague knowledge of what was going on and were interested to find out more detail and would not ordinarily have the opportunity to do so but might be passing by chance.”

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Roger Paterson (Con, Pulborough and Coldwaltham), cabinet member for the local economy, added: “It’s important we reach out as far as we can to an audience that is quite hard to have a discussion with because this is an opportunity where we have a lot of expert officers here.”

Horsham MP Francis Maude is expected to attend the exhibition on Saturday.

Meanwhile opponents of the North Horsham development have organised a demonstration north of the A264 on Saturday June 7 at 10.30am. Campaigners are expected to meet in Wimland Road just off Crawley Road past the Moorhead Roundabout.

Then North Horsham Parish Council have organised a public meeting at North Heath Hall on Monday June 9 starting at 7.30pm to help ‘give voice’ to the electorate who might want to support or oppose plans.

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Representations can be made via HDC’s website or by emailing the strategic planning team or by post to Strategic Planning Team, Horsham District Council, Park North, North Street, Horsham, RH12 1RL.

Did you attend the exhibition? What do you think? Comment below or email the newsdesk.