Housing Development Engagement
New residential developments will continue to be a significant issue for Horndean. The most recent draft EHDC Local Plan already contained 443 additional homes, on top of 981 outstanding permissions – a total of over 1,400 new residences to be added in just a short period.
That Plan is being updated to reflect recently increased government targets, which could see the number of new residences exceed 2,000, bringing 5,000 additional residents and taking Horndean's totals up by over a third to 7,500 households and 18,500 residents.
In the short term, in the absence of a Local Plan that satisfies the housing targets, a “tilted balance” approach is used in deciding on applications, with the consequence that valuable designations such as “local gaps” are unlikely to outweigh the “benefits” of development, as “new housing” is taken to be a benefit in its own right, before other “positives”, including CIL money, additional open space and other infrastructure improvements, are taken into account.
At a minimum, it appears that every site identified as “developable” in the EHDC “Land Availability Assessment” is at risk of allocation in the updated Local Plan and/or being granted planning permission for speculative applications.
For developers, the next 2-3 years may be seen as a golden opportunity for speculative applications, as virtually all local planning authorities are both short of government targets and – at least to some degree – distracted by Local Government Reorganisation.
As well as taking much rural land, such growth in developments can also be seen as a threat to infrastructure, unless they are matched with massive improvements in transport, GP Surgeries, education, youth provision and more – areas that are already under pressure or completely absent..
However, when this development does come, it may also bring opportunities to improve Horndean.
Developer Contributions (CIL)
Developer contributions (CIL) can be used to enhance existing infrastructure.
In the same way that land, and other assets, may be released by Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation, any assets arising from residential developments may be considered for adoption by the Parish Council, if they add to local amenities, reduce the risk of further development, or both – again provided that doing so makes financial sense and is within the Parish Council’s capacity and capability (both officer and member).
The Parish Council is a statutory planning consultee and must also continue to engage early with residential (and commercial) developers, getting them to attend our public meetings for the public to engage too. These discussions may lead to improvements to planning proposals, aimed at enhancing Horndean and limiting negative impacts.
Horndean is also disadvantaged by the peculiar shape of the boundary of the South Downs National Park, which leaves an exposed area, likely to be targeted, to the west of the A3M. The overall area is shown below, followed by more “close up” views
Horndean Boundary
Horndean is also disadvantaged by the peculiar shape of the boundary of the South Downs National Park, which leaves an exposed area, likely to be targeted, to the west of the A3M. The overall area is shown below, followed by more “close up” views.
