As many residents will know, Horsham District Council intends to charge for parking at the Godwin Way Car Park from April 2017. Horsham District Council offered the Parish Council an opportunity to take responsibility for the car park  and the Parish Council canvassed local businesses to ascertain if they would support them in a bid to manage the car park, offer a contribution to the upkeep and keep it free of charge to users, but there was very little support for this option. Horsham District Council had offered a lease on the Car Park, but issues associated with drainage, resurfacing and ongoing maintenance could have seen the Parish Council responsible and accountable for large bills in the future.

The Parish Council formally considered taking responsibility for the Car Park at their January Parish Council Meeting but, as there were still many outstanding questions and great uncertainty about the overall liability to the Council that could have a long term financial effect on local residents they rejected the offer.

Information about the proposals for the Godwin Way Car park can be found on Horsham District Council’s website

https://www.horsham.gov.uk/latest-news/news/november-2016/changes-to-rural-car-parking-arrangements

Notes of a meeting of all working parties held on 14th December 2016 at 2pm at Roffey Millennium Hall

Purpose of the working parties:- 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 gain updated information from WSCC Highways and to obtain guidance regarding the scope of any supporting work required on the Traffic Survey within the application.
Joint Working Party Members:- Nicholas Butler, Frances Haigh*, Roland Knight, Martin Loates, Richard Millington, Helen Ralston*, Tony Rickett, David Searle*, Ray Turner*, Ian Wassell*, Roger Wilton, Sally Wilton. Resident Mr Laurie Holt. Horsham Cycle Forum representative Ruth Fletcher*. Horsham Society representative Philip Ayerst*, West Sussex County Council Highways representative Ian Gledhill* .
*Denotes present

Notes
Ian Gledhill reported that there had been very little movement since WSCC had submitted its response to the planning application in September 2016. However, Peter Brett Associates had been in touch earlier this week, but Ian had not had the opportunity to study the correspondence.

He suggested that there may be a package of information from the developer for consideration in January 2017, but he had no definite information. Once the additional information was submitted there would be a 21 day consultation which starts when the amendment is validated by Horsham District Council.

The proposed planning application for a Recycling Plant and Incinerator at the old Wealdon brickworks on Langhurstwood Road was imminent and whilst there was no doubt that the two applications impacted on each other, they would run separately.

Clarification of the decision making process for application DC/16/1677 and where influence and power lies ensued. The ultimate decision makers are Horsham District Council’s elected members as a corporate body as HDC is the planning authority.

Concern was raised regarding the potential for gridlock within Horsham due to additional traffic movements associated with houses built during ongoing phasing in existing developments. Further concern was raised regarding the road conditions surrounding the turning to Earles Meadow from Crawley Road. Ian confirmed that the traffic survey submitted by Liberty includes best guesses for the cumulative effect from all developments in the surrounding area. The traffic survey examined the scenario with a railway station but not at the situation should a railway station not be provided. He also confirmed that the decision regarding the railway station would be made by the Department for Transport and that no Section 106 discussions had been started. Highways England have submitted their comments as have Crawley Council, however, Surrey County Council are yet to submit.

The representative from the Cycle Forum supported underpasses to allow free movement across the A264, but it would appear that Peter Brett Associates, on behalf of the developers, doubt their viability. WSCC have not been asked to look at this aspect of the development.

A discussion around the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and its statement of sustainability ensued.

Ian Gledhill advised waiting for more information before employing a consultant to undertake a critique or peer review of the existing traffic survey.

Concern was expressed regarding the routes through the site, especially in relation to ancient woodland and it was suggested that this was a question for the HDC case officer.

Ian Gledhill left the meeting at 3.00pm

The discussion from this point centred around how to progress with a peer review/ critique of the traffic survey. The practical final outcome was to draw out a scope from the notes made from all of the working party meetings so far.

It was suggested that an agenda was provided for the next working party meeting.

Further meetings and conclusion
No further meetings were arranged at this stage.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 3.40pm.
Notes taken by the Clerk (Pauline Whitehead)

The Parish Council would like to welcome volunteer Mike Smith was appointed as a Tree Warden for North Horsham Parish Council at the Planning Meeting last week.

 

Mike will work with the Parish Council to better understand what trees there are within the Parish and give periodic reports. He may also be called upon to look at trees for specific planning applications. If you are interested in joining Mike as a Tree Warden, please contact the Parish Council Office.

Last Thursday members of the Roffey Friendship Group, together with some parish councillors, were royally entertained by members of the Manor Theatre Group and some of their friends singing well known songs from the 1950s and 60s. In the second half, everyone joined in with a sing along of great Christmas classics.  A good time was had by all and judging by the success of the afternoon this may become a regular Christmas event!

Councillor Roger Wilton, Chairman of the Parish Council, closed the meeting by thanking everyone for coming along and gave special thanks to Robin Christian who organised the entertainment and all the singers, musicians and helpers.

Please click on the link here to see the Winter Maintenance Plan for 2016-17.