Readers of this blog or the local papers may recall the Secretary of State for the DCLG (Department for Communities and Local Government) issued a Section 25 notice directing East Hants not to finally determine the Land East Of Horndean planning application until he had decided if it merited being called in.
East Hants District Council have today received formal notification that the Secretary of State feels there are no grounds to call the application in, in which case East Hants are free to formally approve the application subject to the final agreement over the detail of the Section 106 agreement.
Anyone attending the planning committee meeting will also recall indecision from HCC on if the land would provide a ‘One form entry’ or a ‘Two form entry’ school. The 700 homes justify a one form entry school, but 2 form entry schools are generally more successful, and would allow additional facilities to take more pupils in from the surrounding community, including local schools that are already stretched.
I am delighted to confirm that HCC have formally asked EHDC to ensure a two form entry school is planned in which means the resilience for the schooling in this development is excellent.
Finally, As the plans for the community facilities develop, East Hants and Horndean Parish Council will be working together to hold a number of Special Community Forums and other meetings to get the widest communities view on what you would like to see in the community building and the final detail of the rest of the facilities on the development including the Pavillion, playing fields, open space and play areas.
When the dates for these meetings are known they will be announced by EHDC, HPC, in the press and posted on this blog. This represents an exciting and challenging time for Horndean and it is important that you take part.
George Hollingbery MP said:
“The Hazleton and Pyle Farm development has always had the overwhelming support of local residents and was passed by planners at East Hampshire District Council, so the announcement that it will not be subject to a ruling from Whitehall is great news.
“The decision by Brandon Lewis is also crucial to the future of the South of Butser area because it will allow the council to resist unsuitable development in the future.
“There was real fear in the community that the Hazleton development would be blocked and developers would simply be able to cherry-pick green spaces to meet housing need. That possibility has now significantly diminished.
“With a five-year land supply in place and an allocations plan well under way, EHDC are now in a much better planning position and I would like to commend all the our local councillors who have worked so hard to save the beautiful countryside South of Butser from inappropriate development.”
Here is a link to the DCLG LEOH Section 25 lifted letter if you would like to see the full details.