The engagement of this project has ended
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On 17 October 2023, Homes England submitted an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Scoping Request to Horsham District Council outlining plans to construct the infrastructure needed to support the proposals alongside the outline planning consent for the wider development. The infrastructure works, known as ‘Phase 1’ relate to highways access and utilities. This will now be a combined (“hybrid”) planning application, which is expected to be submitted in 2024. This is an update to the previous approach to submit an outline planning application for the masterplan, followed by a full planning application for infrastructure works.
The ‘Phase 1’ infrastructure will unlock the land needed to provide much needed homes, schools, the community centre and works that will support traffic management in the area. This updated approach is in response to community feedback received during our community engagement and builds on our commitment to provide infrastructure alongside new homes.
The submission of an EIA Scoping request is not a formal planning application, nor does it seek to predetermine the outcome of the Local Plan which is expected later this year. It is a legal requirement to ensure that any likely significant effects from the development are appropriately and proportionately addressed.
This type of environmental assessment is undertaken on many large development proposals and is informed by a statutory process.
Homes England has previously submitted an EIA Scoping Request to Horsham District Council, in September 2020. A new Scoping request has been submitted to reflect the changes in the proposal for a hybrid planning application.
On receipt of the scoping request, Horsham District Council are required to issue a Scoping Opinion, which will replace the previous Scoping Opinion (issued in December 2020).
You can find out more or read the full document here.