At its meeting on 20 August, Horsham District Council’s Development South Committee decided two key local planning cases and endorsed the views of Thakeham PC in both;
Thakeham Tiles
Following 2018 consultations and an open Thakeham planning meeting discussion last October, Horsham District Council (HDC) Planning Committee have now given outline approval for the proposals under DC/18/2095, for 90 houses at this site.
After thorough debate, a large majority of members supported the planning officer recommendation to approve this scheme. The Parish Council (PC) is pleased that the affordable element of the scheme, now 20% (18 units), doubles the original proposals. While it is lower than the 35% level HDC would prefer, this was considered necessary to allow for the costs of the business moving to another site in the district. Having this approval in place will help the owners of the business to make this transition happen as soon as possible. If the business does not successfully relocate, and if it were to close, then the affordable requirement would revert to 35%. Other issues explored at the meeting included ecology/biodiversity, car journeys, road safety and air quality, all of which were covered either in the current proposals, or by further detailed work required via conditions. Understandable concerns were expressed about residents of Storrington bearing traffic and infrastructure impacts, but ultimately members accepted that the scheme will generate infrastructure funding to help cover the costs of mitigating measures. Thakeham PC has also previously indicated that it would expect to use funds from this development to invest in local ‘green’ community transport. The PC also secured agreement to add conditions relating to the energy performance of the development and its homes.
Threals Lane Piggery
Thakeham PC is relieved that the Committee unanimously rejected an application for this scheme (which was originally approved via a questionable planning appeal decision) to mutate into a ‘self-build’ project of 8 very large houses, with the loss of 2 affordable units currently required. The Committee agreed with both Thakeham and West Chiltington PCs that without the affordable units in the scheme there was no rationale for 8 new mansions at this unsustainable location, and that there were still untried ways to deliver the affordable units.