Council confirms delay to local plan

Horsham’s local plan has been delayed due to an ‘unforeseeable’ announcement by the government’s advisor on the natural environment.

An updated draft strategy was due to be signed off for public representation in July, but was postponed to take into account new government requirements around producing a 30-year vision.

The local plan was set to be discussed again at meetings in November, but Horsham District Council has confirmed a further delay due to a position statement from Natural England.

A HDC spokesman said: “The position statement explains that it cannot be concluded that current water abstraction within the Sussex North Water Supply Zone, which includes Horsham district, is not having an impact on sites in the Arun Valley that are internationally designated for rare habitat protection.

“It advises that development, such as new homes and new commercial buildings, within this zone must not add to this impact.

“Of particular concern is the threatened extinction of the Lesser Whirlpool Ramshorn Snail, which is particularly susceptible to changes in water levels in the Arun Valley.

More information can be found at www.horsham.gov. uk/planning/water-neutralityin-horsham-district

“The council is therefore unable to ensure a sound and legally compliant local plan until more is known about the impacts on the Arun Valley ‘Special Area of Conservation’, and until a water neutrality strategy for the area is developed.

“It has been working and continues to work with other affected local authorities Crawley Borough Council, Chichester District Council, South Downs National Park and West Sussex County Council as well as Southern Water, Natural England and the Environment Agency on the issue of water neutrality as part of its local plan evidence base

“Due to the unprecedented nature of this unexpected set of circumstances, we will need to wait until this partnership work is further progressed before the local plan can be published (the ‘Regulation 19’ consultation stage).

“The council will update the local plan timetable as soon as it is able to do so.”

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