Councillor to be questioned over North Horsham plans

The cabinet member will be answering questions about the draft document on Tuesday October 8 from 6pm to 7pm.

The Horsham District Planning Framework Preferred Strategy is a visionary plan for the District to 2031 and beyond, which was published for public consultation on August 16 2013.

Councillor Vickers already answered questions during the first of these two ‘Live Facebook Chats’ held in early September.

The questions and answers given in the earlier ‘Live Facebook Chat’ can be found on the Council’s facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/Horsham.District.Council) from September 5.

At the heart of this new strategy, which must meet the criteria set out in the Government’s own recent National Planning Policy Framework for creating more economic growth, is the provision on land immediately north of Horsham off the A264 for business space and homes with a strong focus on building for local people.

The council says it has the potential to create up to 3,000 jobs at a state of the art business park as part of a mixed scheme to include 2,500 homes, a retail food store, leisure provision, a medical centre, primary school and a site for a secondary school.

Questions can be sent during the live chat or beforehand to [email protected] and these will be posted online and put to Councillor Vickers during the chat.

Written comments will also be accepted and will be posted online during the chat, these can be sent to Communications, Horsham District Council, Park North, North Street, RH12 1RL.

Claire Vickers said: “It is not my strategy; it is our strategy - one for all of us who live, work and visit the district.

“The strategy is a result of a long and in-depth review of our current policies, recent evidence and most importantly the views expressed in previous consultations.

“We have listened to our communities and whilst I appreciate that it is not possible to please everyone, we have tried to address the concerns and issues raised and I hope residents take the opportunity to tell us what they think of these proposals during this live chat.”

Details can also be found in the recent autumn 2013 edition of the Council’s ‘Horsham District News’ magazine, which was sent to homes across the district in August.

For more information on the ‘Live Facebook chat’, please contact Horsham District Council by calling 01403 215571 or send questions in advance of the live chat, please email [email protected]