Agenda item

Crawley Regulation 19 Publication Local Plan Consultation

The Crawley Regulation 19 publication Local Plan is being consulted on for soundness which covers the 15-year plan period 2019 - 2035. The consultation – closes on 2 March 2020.This report briefs members on the proposed response.

 

Minutes:

            The Planning Policy Team Leader presented this report to the Subcommittee which set out a proposed response to Crawley Borough Council’s Regulation 19 Publication Local Plan for the period 2019 – 2035.

 

            The report illustrated that Crawley would have a housing shortfall of 5,945 against its Objectively Assessed Need (OAN,) as based on the Government’s Standard Housing Methodology (SHM).  It was therefore important for this Council to understand how that shortfall would be met under the Duty to Co-operate regime.  Crawley’s Plan did set out an expectation that Horsham and Mid Sussex would help with the shortfall  but, also, it was recognised that other neighbouring authorities would need to be asked to help.  It was therefore imperative for Arun to seek information as to how Crawley would meet its unmet need.  In addition, Arun was looking for an assurance within their Statement of Common Ground and under the Duty to Co-operate that Crawley would not be expecting Arun to help with that unmet housing need.

 

            In opening up the debate, Member comment was made with regard to the urgency of achieving progress on the update to the Local Strategic Statement (i.e. LSS3) as set out at paragraph 1.4 of the report.  It was stated that negotiation of LSS3 should be undertaken through the Local Strategic Planning Board (LSPB) and it seemed inappropriate that this Council’s representative was not the Cabinet Member for Planning, who would be in a stronger position to  push that progress.    Paragraph 1.8 was welcomed which stated that:-

 

            “It must be stressed that Crawley Borough Council has not asked ADC to assist with any unmet housing need given the Crawley Local Plan (CLP) seeks assistance from Horsham and Mid Sussex and other authorities within the North West Sussex Housing Market Area (NWSHMA).  However, given the wider unmet need outlined above, and risks should there be insufficient progress on LSS3, ADC should seek a specific Statement of Common Ground with Crawley Borough consolidating this position.”

 

            Members were in agreement with the proposed response but did express reservations that the Cabinet Member for Planning was not the Council’s appointed representative on the Local Strategic Planning Board.  The Director of Place gave advice that the appointment of a member to the LSPB was solely within the gift of the Leader of the Council and the Subcommittee could of course express its view which could then be brought to the attention of the Leader.  The Subcommittee therefore unanimously agreed that the Leader of the Council be asked to amend the Council’s membership of the LSPB from Councillor Huntley to Councillor Lury, Cabinet Member for Planning.

 

            Following a brief discussion around the Duty to Co-operate and Statement of Common Ground, the Subcommittee

 

RESOLVED – That

 

(1)  In response to the Crawley Local Plan Regulation 19 consultation, Crawley Borough Council be urged to clearly set out in updated Statements of Common Ground with neighbouring authorities within its Housing Market Area, how its unmet need is to be resolved before the plan is submitted for examination;

 

(2)  In the absence of progress on the LSS3 update, a Statement of Common Ground be agreed specifically with Arun District Council to clarify that no assistance will be required in order to help with the level of unmet need arising from the Borough; and

 

(3)  The Leader of the Council be requested to replace Councillor Huntley with Councillor Lury as the Cabinet Member for Planning on the Local Strategic Planning Board.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

 

 

Supporting documents: