Notes of a meeting of the Affordable housing, Education, Health and Community  working party held on 15th September 2016 at 3pm at Roffey Millennium Hall
Purpose:- one of three working parties appointed as part of co-ordinating  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:- to put forward comments  relating to affordable housing, education, health and community. To comment on areas identified by the Environment and Infrastructure group where there is overlap.
Working Group Members:- Frances Haigh*, Tony Rickett, Sally Wilton*.
*Denotes present
Affordable Housing

Background information
The National Planning Policy Framework, Horsham District Planning Framework and Strategic Housing Market Assessment all recommend 35% Affordable Housing on new development. Of that 35%, Horsham District Council’s SHMA recommends that 20% is one bedroom housing, 45% is 2 bedroom housing, 25% is 3 bedroom housing and 10% is 4 bedroom plus housing.

In 2011 the breakdown of housing in Horsham was as follows:-
72% home ownership (this was a declining figure)
13% social tenants
14% private tenants
1% shared ownership

Planning application DC/16/1677 includes affordable housing as follows:-
30% local need (5% below the recommended amount)
Of that 30% 5% is contingent on the business park being built. (Reducing the potential to 25% and reducing the overall percentage of affordable housing if land for the business park is used for housing)
Of the proposed 30% 12.7% is affordable rental, 5% is shared ownership, 4.7% is discount market and 7.3% is private rented.

The total area of the site is 231.80 hectares of that 83% is being put to residential land use. (36%) The proportion of the site being offered for affordable housing is extremely small.

•    Whilst only 30% of the total number of houses will be categorised as affordable, it has been identified that this will represent a £5.66 million deficit to the developer which they are willing to carry. However, the amount of affordable housing is less than is considered necessary for the development and the amount is not acceptable.
•    Has a housing needs survey been done and if so what is actually needed?
•    There is anecdotal evidence that 1 and 2 bedroomed properties are required for single occupancy and for downsizing.
•    There is no sheltered housing in the scheme to offer opportunities to older residents.
•    If would appear that higher density and lower cost housing is close to the access road and that there is not a good mix of lower cost and higher priced housing in proximity to each other. This concern raised earlier by the Environment and Infrastructure Group (under Internal road design) was strengthened and reiterated by this group.)

Education
•    Policy SD8 states that 2 primary schools and a secondary school will be included in the planning application. DC/16/1677 indicates “on the school campus on the east of the site will be a secondary school, primary school and special educational needs. Land north of the proposed school campus could be acquired by West Sussex County Council if future expansion became a reality. A second primary school is proposed in the western part of the site.” (Folder 1; Application documents ; page 18 sections 3.4 – 3.43) Clarification is required as to what the developer will actually provide….land or the actual facilities.
•    Depending on the phased building of the development, there is a potential for those in the west of the area to have no definitive route to the larger school campus. Access to the school for those in the extreme west of the site is across the busy access road.

Health
•    It is extremely disappointing that there is a lack of specified commitment to health within the application. Acknowledgement is given to the work of the Clinical Commissioning Group and their effort to ensure that an appropriate health facility commensurate to the size and needs of the local population is provided is supported.
•    Horsham is roughly 20 miles from all of the main hospitals in the surrounding area, therefore, a health facility such as a walk in centre would be of benefit.
•    Concern was expressed regarding all transport links to the hospitals but especially public transport links which are not only difficult, often including many changes, but extremely costly.
•    Consideration should be given to using one of the business units adjacent to the A264 to be used as a fire/ ambulance /Police station for quick and easy access to major roads and Horsham.

Community
•    The community centre should complement existing community facilities in Horsham.
•    Consideration was given to what the community centre may be used for :- toddler groups/ Scouts/ Guides/ Day Centre/information point/CAB/Library/ Small business support. Who would manage the community centre. Could it be the Parish Council?
•    Concern was raised regarding the physical divide that Old Holbrook provides which segregates the new development. The resulting two distinct areas have individual characteristics of lower density and higher density housing. Reassurance was required to ensure that there would be links which would integrate the three areas to create a cohesive community.

General points
•    Gatwick Airport has not objected to the application on the grounds of noise as the development was outside the specified noise contours although it was recommended that potential house buyers were advised that there could be aircraft noise. They had however raised concern about the provision for SuDS (Sustainable Drainage Systems) attracting birds that could be a potential hazard (bird strike). Further concern was raised regarding tall buildings with ledges that could attract birds (again bird strike) and solar panels that could cause glaring and cause difficulty for the pilot.
•    How can the developer be held accountable for delivering what has been promised in the application?
•    Concern that infrastructure is delivered in a timely way so that when houses are built facilities are available as people move into the development.

Further meetings were not scheduled as it was felt that all of the working parties should meet together to bring together the information gathered so far and then work allocated to the working parties from that meeting as necessary.
No professional support was required from the discussions held so far.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 5.10pm.

Notes taken by the Clerk (Pauline Whitehead)

‘Bulky Bags’ a great new service
The council’s newly launched Bulky Bag service offers a new, low cost solution for large, household waste and a reliable alternative to the more costly skip.
Items suitable for the bulky bag include:
•    House clearance/furniture
•    Tiles and bathroom waste
•    Rubble and garden waste
•    DIY waste
•    Commercial waste
Bags come in three sizes; Medium, Large and Mega. The medium bag can hold up to one tonne of non-hazardous waste, suitable for everyday DIY. Those undertaking larger projects such as bathroom or kitchen refurbishments, or other work that generates heavier waste and rubble should consider a Large or Mega bag. These take up to one-and-a-half tonnes and are up to three cubic metres in size.
Frank Lewin, a Bulky Bag Customer said: “As far as I’m concerned, it’s a great service. It’s so easy, you just use your card to pay and the service just happens. I will certainly be using it again in the near future.”
Collections will be made up to 20 miles from Horsham Town Centre. For full terms and conditions please visit our website.
Bags can be ordered online at http://www.horsham.gov.uk/bulkybag or by calling 01403 739391.

Notes of a meeting of the Environment and Infrastructure working party held on 15th September 2016 at 10am at Roffey Millennium Hall
Purpose:– one of three working parties appointed as part of co-ordinating  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:– to put forward comments  relating to noise, flooding, green spaces including recreation and sport, internal road design, building design, construction , retail and business.
Working Group Members:- Martin Loates, David Searle*, Ian Wassell*.
*Denotes present
Noise
•    Bunds on A264 to buffer new development – what about existing residential area to the south?
•    Impact on noise during construction – will this be measured, policed and enforced and will there be time restrictions ie no noise before 8am or after 5pm?
•    Noted 381 construction workers on site potentially for 14 years over the full time of the development, mostly living in caravans, how will noise from this group be controlled as they will tend to have a communal outdoor space.

Flooding
•    SuDS (Sustainable drainage systems). Use of holding ponds and water loving tree species to manage flooding, however, could water draining into the streams on site create a problem downstream in the town where flooding is already an issue? Note serious flooding in recent years at Hills Farm and Tanbridge Park. Also flooding further along the River Arun for example at Pulborough. Will the proposals move any flooding problems along?
•    Concern regarding discharge of water especially during what contaminants and the effect on wildlife habitats in local area, especially Warnham Nature Reserve – site of local value and wealth of wild life.
•    Will it affect the designation of the flood plain and as a consequence insurance?

Green spaces
•    Need assurance that open spaces that are already in existence, for example the Riverside Walk are preserved within the ethos that they were originated, ie that the walk is not diverted through development. Similarly, footpaths that are being diverted.
•    Who will be responsible for green spaces and trees both in the day to day management and long term? Concern that this may fall to the Parish Council but without the resources, both finance and manpower.
•    How will proposed facilities fit in with those already in existence in Horsham. Concern that new facilities may impact on the viability of existing leisure centres, multi courts, sport and leisure provision.
•    Also concern about community centre and how it impacts on halls, community centres already in existence in Horsham.
•    Sports facilities should have non-invasive lighting to protect nearby housing from light pollution.
•    Should sports pitches have changing facilities available?
•    Concern about who is responsible for maintenance of any recreational facilities.

Internal road design
•    Parking – concern that there is sufficient parking provision for residents and visitors.
•    Use Secured by Design principals so that group car parking is easily accessible, easy to use, attractive and well lit.
•    Parking on the roads discouraged.
•    Low level street lighting.
•    The proposed new entrance to the development off the A264 will have to be suitable to take traffic currently using the first part of Langhurstwood Road which will be blocked off. This includes significant vehicle movement (including heavy lorries) to Biffa, Viridor and possibly the proposed incinerator proposed for the incinerator site. Does the design take that into consideration?
•    How will housing design along the access road allow for noise and vibration from the heavy traffic movements?
•    Emergency access to the site appears to be along Wimland Road is this viable bearing in mind the level crossing?

Building design
•    Continuity in design and in the Sussex vernacular.
•    Good housing mix of different sized housing.
•    The sample of building design and materials appears to be sympathetic to local design, but guidance will be sought from the Horsham Society.
•    Houses include access points for broadband and TV reception to avoid unsightly satellite dishes or large aerials.
•    Bungalows for older people.

Construction
•    During the construction period, sufficient temporary car parking for construction workers.
•    Concern that workers may travel in several cars to one point and travel forward in one car leaving street in north Horsham with additional parking.
•    Adequate tyre washing facilities.
•    Noise – see previous.

Retail and business
•    Preference for light manufacturing/ industry and offices.
•    Provision for sufficient car parking and delivery by lorries.

General points
•    How will the development of Gatwick Airport and the proposed incinerator influence this development?
•    How can the developer be held accountable for delivering what has been promised in the application?
•    Concern that infrastructure is delivered in a timely way so that when houses are built facilities are available as people move into the development.
•    Concern raised that if a facility isn’t built the land will be used for more housing.
•    Concern about pressure on existing services such as schools, doctors’ surgeries, dentists etc.

Further meetings were not scheduled due to the availability of the working group members. It was suggested that if necessary, the topics and preliminary thoughts of the group could be amalgamated into another working group.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 11.45am.

Notes taken by the Clerk (Pauline Whitehead)

As part of an ongoing programme of activities, members of the Roffey Friendship Club visited Petworth Park & House yesterday, which everyone thoroughly enjoyed.

 

The club meets on alternate Thursdays from 2pm until approximately 4pm at Roffey Millennium Hall. Each Session is charged at £2 per head for meeting costs and with any remaining balance going in the kitty for future outings. The next meeting will commence on Thursday 7th July 2016.

 

You can turn up freely without needing to book and you can be sure of a warm and friendly welcome. If you would like to know more do give Nikki a ring at North Horsham Parish Council Office situated in Roffey Millennium Hall on 01403 750786 or pop in and see her.

North Horsham Parish Council says goodbye to Sue Kemp who has worked at North Horsham Parish Council for over twenty years on 30th June 2016. Sue first worked as the Deputy Clerk and then in the last seven years as Clerk to the Council. The Parish Council is appreciative of the work that she has done on behalf of the residents in North Horsham Parish Council and wishes her well in the future.

New Clerk Pauline Whitehead and Deputy Clerk Vivien Edwards joined North Horsham Parish Council on 23rd May 2016 and both look forward to working in the Parish. Both bring a wealth of experience in the sector. The Parish Council would also like to welcome Alex Vallance , who is one of the Caretakers at North Heath Hall. All three new staff members join a small but committed and dedicated team who are serving North Horsham.