Decision time for the Horsham District Local Plan?

Assuming that, at its meeting on 23 June, council rejects our motion to delay the local plan process (agenda item 11), then the focus moves to the two cabinet meetings on 15 July and 22 July, and the Extraordinary council meeting on 28 July.  According to the forward plan, this ECM is where the legal decision will be taken to submit our revised local plan to further public scrutiny, and then on to inspection, accompanied by the public comments ('Reg.19', Item 6), effectively freezing our plans until after the inspector has commented, or legal challenges are brought!

As may be seen in the published timetable, it is still possible for changes to be made in light of the inspector's report, but will any major changes to the chosen strategic development sites (the current main bones of contention with the public at large) be made?  Who knows, but I would have thought it unlikely - but then, a few years ago, I'd have thought it likely that the UK would still be in the EU, so what do I know!

I am, of course, writing this on the day that the Chesham and Amersham by-election result has been announced, with opposition to the HS2 rail line, which is being built through the constituency, and the government's planning reforms, which could see more homes being built in rural areas, being cited as major factors in the overturning of a big government majority.  Sadly there's no prospect of any major rail upgrades, let alone resurrected lines, in Horsham District but, if our mail is anything to go by, there is major opposition to housebuilding, especially in the form of new settlements (near Adversane, West Grinstead and Henfield).  To meet the government's current housing requirements, it will probably be necessary to have at least one of these settlements in the plan - will that fuel similar election upsets in the years to come? 

Post Election, Post Covid?

For the second, definitely not (until much of the rest of the world has been vaccinated, unless UK border controls are dramatically strengthened).

The elections are over though, with noticeable national Green Party gains.  Locally, Sarah Sharp was elected to represent Chichester South on West Sussex County Council, and Gabe Crisp was elected to Adur District Council.  Both will have their work cut out as a 'lone Green', but I'm sure that they will rise to the challenge.  Not so much a case of 'history on their side' as 'forecasts' - we're going to need every green change we can employ to reach stable sustainability.  In Bramber Castle the majority of voters chose a candidate who lives out of the division, but that's democracy for you!

Back at Horsham DC, there's a new Leader (Cllr Clarke) with a (mostly) new cabinet.  What effect this will have on the draft Local Plan is yet to be ascertained, but Bob & I will be putting a motion forward at the next full council meeting to delay the plan for a minimum of a year so that the effects of the pandemic on housing / employment space demand can be better assessed.  This is based on the requirement for plans to be 'evidence based': at the moment all we know is that the evidence isn't there (AKA a 'known unknown')!

Mike was asked to join Horsham DC's Climate Change Group, comprising a mix of public representatives, officers and councillors 'to help draw up a climate change action plan for the Horsham District'.  Although the council itself has a plan to achieve carbon neutrality for its own emissions by 2030 (finance permitting), persuading the district along that path is going to be exceedingly challenging (with much larger financial issues)!  More on this in the months to come.