Leave more than a memory of green spaces
Restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic have provided me with the opportunity to walk around the town, meet and chat with neighbours – while following social-distancing guidance of course – and appreciate the lovely green spaces that make our town so enjoyable. The lockdown has also allowed me time to read more, think more and consider my concerns regarding the future of Horsham and Horsham district.
I read on June 18 that a Horsham district cabinet member put forward that ‘they want to retain the high quality of life that makes this area such a great place to live, but homes have to go somewhere’. Why is it that a green space such as Rookwood, an area within walking distance of the town centre and owned by Horsham District Council, is being put forward for 1,100 homes? We don’t have to build on our much-loved green spaces. Once built on they are lost forever.
On June 22, I then read that the Government will extend planning permission deadlines to save hundreds of construction projects from delays and that planning appeals are likely to be speeded up. Boris Johnson is promising to ‘build, build, build’ with a huge programme of investment to revive the economy.
If site works have not started within three years of planning approval, the consent granted will normally expire. Therefore, the Government has agreed that all sites where approval expired between the start of the lockdown and the end of 2020 will now have their consent extended to April, 2021. The Government has estimated that some 400 residential approvals, providing more than 24,000 new homes, would have expired nationwide
It is expected that the Government will introduce new laws to speed up the planning appeals process. In order that appeals can be concluded more quickly, the Planning Inspectorate will be empowered to run more than one procedure at a time – written representations, hearings and enquiries. A pilot programme in 2019 found that the introduction of such procedures more than halved the time for appeal inquiries from 47 weeks to 23 weeks.
The introduction of new laws and procedures will certainly affect Horsham District Council if the delivery of new housing, as proposed in the local plan, cannot be met. As it stands, in order to maximise financial gain, developers and house builders make a commercial decision regarding the timing and the rate of output for residential properties, this being dependent on market conditions, and who can blame them. It is the Government that is changing legislation faster than council local plans or neighbourhood plans can be put in place.
It is for the residents of Horsham to make their voices heard. There are many worthy groups already who care about the future of Horsham with campaigns to keep safe the good aspects and amenities in the town and wider district.
It will be a real shame if all that future generations have from us is a memory of our lost green spaces.
The Horsham Society is concerned about the past, present and future of the town. It seeks to promote good planning and design for the built environment and open spaces. Membership of the Horsham Society is open to anyone who shares these concerns. For more information, visit the website www.horshamsociety.
org or phone 01403 267712