What is a Neighbourhood Plan?

A Neighbourhood Plan is a formal expression of a community's shared vision for future development, spanning the following 15 years. Once made, it becomes a legal document which Horsham District Council (HDC) must take into account during review of individual planning applications.

What's in it for Itchingfield and Barns Green?

Making a Neighbourhood Plan will allow the Parish to positively influence the nature of local development.

Why allow more development?

National targets for Housing provision reflect a shortage, requiring all parts of the country to deliver a locally-appropriate number of new homes. Furthermore, the stagnation of development, where it has occurred historically, has tended to have a damaging effect on the viability of communities. Halting all development is not an option.

How much housing does Itchingfield & Barns Green have to deliver?

The Itchingfield Parish Council Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group has examined the housing needs of the parish using several accepted methodologies under the guidance of our consultants and arrived at a possible figure outlined at the recent Parish Meeting. However recent proposed changes by HM Gov. could mean that these numbers may need to be revised - pending definitive feedback on the implications from HDC & our consultants.

How will the changing infrastructure requirements be handled?

Recognition and response to changing infrastructure requirements is a part of the process of assessing individual planning applications. The conclusions delivered in a Neighbourhood Plan must be supported by strong evidence but it is permitted that the NP may emphasise concerns regarding anticipated changes to eg infrastructure and/or environment by the drafting of targeted policies

When will new development begin in the Parish?

Since Itchingfield started Neighbourhood Plan preparations, there has been an understanding that Planning Applications submitted before the NP is 'made' (comes into force) would not be looked on favourably by Horsham District Council, and major developers have therefore, largely, held back from further applications. We might expect these to resume once the NP is made,