horndeanmatters

EHDC tabled a series of documents at our Council Meeting earlier this week called “LIPS” or Local Interim Planning Statements. These reflect the core findings from the public consultations which we held at Merchistoun Hall and showed an overwhelming support for any development in Horndean to be steered to ‘Land East Of Horndean’, better known as Hazleton and Pyle Farms. These will also form the basis of any input to the Allocations plan, however it is patently clear to me that by the time we go through the process and consultation of the allocations plan we will have served up our requirements and more in Horndean. Hopefully we can use the LIPS as one of many tools to slow this down and to prevent some of the applications on the way.

EHDC have taken legal advice on the LIPS and believe they have weight. How much remains to be seen and to be assessed at each step. For Horndean the key paragraph we need to focus on is below.

“On the evidence of the settlement profiles, the evidence base that accompanies the JCS and the event feedback the most sustainable location for the future development in Horndean is the Hazelton Farm – East Horndean area so long as it provides high quality development in accordance with the policies of the JCS, brings a new focus to Horndean with new commerce and facilities that are adequately served by services and infrastructure. A focus of development in that location would be most sustainable by diverting development from the peripheral areas of Lovedean and Catherington, the development of which is most likely to undermine the social cohesion and individuality of Horndean’s character”

To view the full document please click on this link here Horndean LIPS Council Version.
There is one amendment which was added at the council meeting makes it clear the housing applies to settlements, and not parishes. For example, the land at Hazleton Farm is clearly part of the settlement of Horndean, residents will have a Horndean address, and it is a Horndean political issue. A small part of the land is actually (and very oddly) in the boundary of the Parish of Rowlands Castle, several miles away, but clearly the housing on this land must count to, and will be a part of, Horndean’s community and required total.