New Horsham plan due for February publication (From The Argus)

New Horsham plan due for February publication

4:50pm Wednesday 4th January 2012 in Business News By John Keenan, business editor

A plan to build thousands of new homes is among proposals for the development of a town.

New plans to be considered by Horsham District Council could see the population of the town quadruple.

Among the ideas for north Horsham are 4,500 homes, a new railway station, schools, leisure facilities, a business park and space for a new acute hospital.

Tom Crowley, the Council's Chief Executive, said the plan was one option among others.

He said the consultation work is in its early stages and will initially focus on the scale of future housing provision.

He said: “We are currently preparing a new planning framework to replace our current Core Strategy. The 'Horsham District Planning Framework' will guide development in the District to 2031. A consultation document is scheduled for publication in February. The consultation period will continue through March.

“The planning rules have changed since this work began and the Localism Act 2011 requires housing targets to be set locally. This is why the forthcoming consultation will focus on housing numbers in the first instance.

Once our local housing requirements are quantified, following the consultation period, we will prepare a preferred strategy document which will include locations to meet future housing, employment, retail and other development needs across the District. This work will be subject to full consultation later in the year.

Councillor Ray Dawe, deputy leader of Horsham District Council, described the council's track record of delivering facilities whilst keeping the Council Tax low as very good.

He said: “Whilst it's too early to comment in any detail about the north Horsham proposals, planning for the future needs of our district, in economic, social and environmental terms, is one of our most important responsibilities and we have an enviable record of success on this front.

"We will look carefully at any proposals that come forward that give us an opportunity to realise our own long term aspirations, including the possibility of an acute A&E hospital, affordable housing and quality business and educational opportunities.

"Any proposals would be subject to the Council's planning and scrutiny processes, including full consultation with the local community.”