horndeanmatters

The Government Inspector has responded to us following the Joint Core Strategy consultation and examination. There are a number of minor changes that he is looking to have incorporated following the feedback from the public hearings, but the key issues to note are as follows:

1 – The rate of build of new housing was under attack from developers as being too low. They were looking for a significant annual increase from the 592 homes across East Hants as defined in the plan. He felt there was no justification for this, so there will be no further increase on the annual build rate we are expected to deliver.

2 – The South Downs National Park were looking for a range of 400 to 700 homes, and were being very non committal on numbers. The inspector has ruled that Petersfield must not only take the larger number of 700 on their range of options, but that this is their minimum number. This is still considerably lower than the impact on Horndean, but will take some of the pressure off at least.

3 – There will be an updated plan with a further 7 week consultation which will conclude at the end of January. The plan will be in place by the end of March.

The next steps for East Hants now are to put in place an Allocations plan, and to put forward our structured proposals for the CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy) charges for developers. The application of CIL in particular is key as it will prevent piecemeal development as we have seen on Five Heads Road and other areas from ducking below the affordable housing and other community contributions.

Anyone wishing to submit representations on any of the Proposed Main Modifications may do so either by email to ldf@easthants.gov.uk or in writing to the Planning Policy team no later than 5.00pm on Friday 7 February 2014.

Click on this link to see the modifications: JCS Main Modifications Dec 2013