Three Development Sites Ruled Out

About 18 months ago, as a part of the SHLAA site process the Blue Anchor Field in Horndean was put forward but as this is in the South Downs National Park it has been assessed separately by them along with two other sites in Catherington off Downhouse Road and Lovedean Lane (adjacent to Kingswood).

In the last few days the South Downs National Park Authority have published their SHLAA and ALL of their sites in Horndean have been considered as unsuitable for development. It is excellent news too for Clanfield where 5 further sites have also been ruled out as unsuitable for development.

For Horndean this is significant as we have already identified the EHDC allocations to meet our housing needs. The South Downs National Park is its own planning authority and any development there would count to their figures, not ours, effectively dumping development in Horndean. Clearly we are grateful to the SDNPA for taking on board the very clear feedback from the District Councillors and officers at East Hants as to where they should put their housing. (I am quite sure you did not read that the way I intended).

The park are busily preparing their own allocations plan which will be published shortly. In the meantime the EHDC plan is well ahead and out to consultation.

Cllr Sara Schillemore said that “The two SHLAA sites in Catherington ward are recognised by the SDNPA to be both outside the settlement policy boundaries, visually very prominent and would be unsuitable for development. They also acknowledge that these sites are not well related to existing settlements. These are strong statements and I am pleased that the SDNPA have agreed with the opinions of the local members who have been keen to have these areas excluded as sites suitable for development.”