Public exhibition on planning framework to start today in Horsham

Horsham District Council’s Proposed Submission, which includes 2,500 homes and a new business park north of the A264, was approved by Full Council on April 30 despite opposition from several Conservatives and most Lib Dem councillors.

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

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

The exhibition, organised by HDC, will be held in Unit 65 in Swan Walk Shopping Centre, opposite Country Casuals, today (Thursday June 5) and Friday June 6 from 2-6pm, and on Saturday June 7 from 10am to 4pm.

Councillors and officers will be on hand to answer questions about the strategy, which sets out where and how many houses will be built up to 2031 in the district.

The council also hopes the strategy, including the proposed 500,000 sq ft business park north of Horsham, will help attract thousands of new jobs to the district.

HDC’s decision not to hold any exhibitions or public meetings attracted widespread criticism during consultation on its draft preferred strategy last summer.

Instead several information boards were sent out to parish offices to be displayed, although it did hold a meeting in public in February 2014.

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.