Notes of a meeting of all working parties held on 29th September 2016 at 6pm at Roffey Millennium Hall

Purpose of the groups:- three working parties appointed to jointly develop a full response to the outline planning application recently submitted for development north of Horsham (DC/16/1677). The application includes housing (up to 2,750 dwellings), a business park (up to 46,450 m2), retail, community centre, leisure facilities, education facilities, public open space, landscaping and related infrastructure and has reserved matters except for access.
Remit of this meeting:- to review comments put forward so far to enable the first draft of a submission to be developed. To discuss concerns and process with the case officer for Horsham District Council (HDC).
Working Group Members:- Nicholas Butler, Frances Haigh, Roland Knight, Martin Loates*(arrived part way through and gave apologies), Richard Millington, Helen Ralston*, Tony Rickett, David Searle, Ray Turner*,  Ian Wassell, Roger Wilton*, Sally Wilton*. Resident Mr Laurie Holt*. David Lowin* – case officer for HDC, Helen Lowe* – Major Projects Team HDC.
*Denotes present
Mr Lowin clarified areas of the application raised by members, in particular policy relating to compliance with the Local Plan, affordable housing, commercial use, education, ecology and sustainability. Members’ concerns regarding the proposed junctions on the A264 were also raised.
Mr Lowin reiterated that it was likely that there will be continued dialogue between the developers and various agencies during the consultation stage of the planning application that may lead to changes in the application or more information coming forward. He confirmed that whilst it would be advantageous to put forward preliminary comments to HDC by the end of October 2016, there would be an opportunity to continue commenting as more information was gained throughout the process and up to the time it was put to Committee for decision.
An enquiry regarding the potential for the Parish Council to be involved with exploring how community facilities in the new development will be managed and owned was noted.
Mr Lowin offered to work with the Parish Council to give guidance as appropriate to reduce time and financial risks to the Parish Council.

Further meetings and conclusion
•    29th September 2016 at 7.30pm – Planning Meeting –  recommendations will be put forward for consideration.
•    5th October 2016 at 3pm – Meeting of all working parties.
•    6th October 2016 – 7pm  – Horsham Association of Local Councils (HALC) Meeting in Pulborough – opportunity to share information and discuss infrastructure implications with all HDC parishes.
•    27th October 2016 – Extraordinary PCM at 8pm at the Tythe Barn to agree an initial response to HDC.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 7.20pm.

Notes taken by the Clerk (Pauline Whitehead)
The deputy Clerk (Vivien Edwards) observed.