‘Exceptional circumstances’ warrant different approach

Exceptional circumstances warrant an ‘alternative approach’ to planning for future housing in the district, a leading campaigner has argued.

Using the Government’s standard methodology, Horsham District Council has calculated its minimum housing requirement at 965 a year.

But it consulted on a number of possible figures, including one as high as 1,400 per annum as it would likely be expected to take unmet housing need from neighbouring areas such as Crawley.

Roger Smith, a trustee at the Campaign to Protect Rural England’s Sussex branch, believes this would amount to an ‘unprecedented and unsustainable target’ of 25,200 total new homes over the plan-period 2019 – 36.

He points out how government guidance says the standard method is not mandatory if it is felt that circumstances warrant an alternative approach, but only in ‘exceptional circumstances’.

Dr Smith argues the likely recession, bringing with it a potential slump in housebuilding, qualifies as exceptional circumstances.

He added: “Mr Jenrick’s riding roughshod over the justifiable concerns of the district’s elected representatives and communities must be challenged.

“After all, Covid-19 and its devastating impact on the economy and the housing market is outside of HDC’s control – and 1,400 new homes per year is unsustainable.”

In its first reply the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said it recognised the Government ‘can assist in ensuring the system continues to operate in a functional and practical way and we are looking at what flexibilities may be required’.