Decision details

Soft Sand Review - Proposed Submission Draft ENV07 (19/20)

Decision Maker: Cabinet Member for Environment

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

Following adoption of the Joint Minerals Local Plan (JMLP) in July 2018, the County Council, in partnership with the South Downs National Park Authority, is required to undertake a single issue Soft Sand Review as set out in Policy M2 of the JMLP.  The Review is considering the demand and supply of soft sand required during the plan period (to 2033), and how this demand will be met, including the potential need for site allocations. 

 

Informal public consultation (Regulation 18) took place during January–March 2019.  The results of the consultation (Appendix B), and further technical work, have informed the preparation of the Proposed Submission Draft Soft Sand Review (Appendix A), which identifies proposed changes to the JMLP.  These include a revised strategy for the supply of soft sand, changes to two policies, and the allocation of three sites; extensions to West Heath Common, Rogate; Chantry Lane, Storrington, and a new site at Ham Farm near Steyning.

 

Once approved by both Authorities, the Proposed Submission Draft will be published for a ten week period to allow formal representations to be made about: (a) whether it has been prepared in accordance with legal and procedural requirements; and (b) whether its contents are ‘sound’. 

 

Representations made during the representations period will help an independent Government-appointed Inspector to determine whether any modifications to the proposed changes are necessary prior to adoption by both authorities, when they will be incorporated into the JMLP.

 

Decision:

The Cabinet Member for Environment recommends to County Council, on 18 October 2019, that:

 

(a)     the Proposed Submission Draft Soft Sand Review of the West Sussex Joint Minerals Local Plan (Appendix A) is approved for publication, consultation on legal and procedural compliance and soundness, and, provided that no substantive changes are required, submission to the Secretary of State in accordance with Regulations 19, 20 and 22 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (as amended);

(b)     authority is delegated to the Director of Highways, Transport and Planning, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment, to authorise, in agreement with the South Downs National Park Authority, any non-substantive changes that are necessary to make the Joint Minerals Local Plan sound and suitable for adoption; and

  (c) if substantive changes are required to the Submission Draft Soft Sand Review of the West Sussex Joint Minerals Local Plan, a further public consultation and decision by the County Council may be required.

Interests and Nature of Interests Declared:

None

Publication date: 04/10/2019

Date of decision: 04/10/2019

Effective from: 16/10/2019