What proposed planning changes mean for Horsham district – respond now

Take action – respond to the Government’s consultation on reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system.

The proposed changes to the planning system include a ‘New Standard Method’ for assessing housing needs to achieve the government’s ambition to build 1.5 million new homes over the next five years.

The proposed ‘New Standard Method’ with its ‘mutant algorithm’ would increase Horsham District’s current assessed annual housing need from 917 dwellings a year to 1,294 a year: an increase of 41.1%.

Over the 17 years of Horsham District’s local-plan 2023 to 2040, 1,294 dwellings a year x 17 years amounts to 21,998 new homes. To this under the ‘Duty to Cooperate’, will be added around 50% of Crawley’s unmet housing need (Crawley Borough’s current unmet need for 2024 to 2040 is 7,050 dwellings. The proposed new standard method has inflated this by 38.9%). Some of the unmet needs of other councils too, all of which will be inflated by the proposed New Standard Method, could be added to the Horsham total.

The new mutant algorithm takes no account of local constraints including environmental and infrastructure capacity.

Other National Planning Policy Framework policies perceived by the Government to be obstacles to achieving their five-year requirement for 1.5 million new homes (350,000 pa) have been either removed or modified. As a result, Councils and communities will have little or no control over development.

This consultation is an opportunity, the only opportunity, to question and challenge the Government’s intent.

 To give your views go to the consultation page. The consultation closes on 24 September (11.45pm).

Read: more detail: Consequences for Horsham District Proposed reforms to the NPPF and other changes to the planning system 

See also data on housing needs: New Standard Method New Assessed Housing Needs for Sussex Local Planning Authorities