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You are here: Home > News > Horley town centre regeneration a step closer

New planning guidelines bring Horley town centre regeneration a step closer

News release dated 13 November 2006 about new planning guidelines for the regeneration of Horley town centre.

The regeneration of Horley town centre has moved a step closer after the council adopted new planning guidelines to ensure that any new development facilitates regeneration, and meets the needs of the community.

The guidelines, known as the Horley Town Centre Regeneration Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), provide detailed guidance to help developers interpret planning policy, which will be taken into account when determining planning applications. 

The policy forms part of the Local Development Framework, the new planning policy system and will apply to any planning application in the town.

Improvements that Horley deserves

Council Leader, Cllr Mrs Joan Spiers, said: “The regeneration of Horley town centre is a key part of the implementation of the Horley Master Plan – it is the hub of the local transport network and the centre of the community. 

“The regeneration envisages a retail quarter with better retail and leisure choice, a cultural quarter, improved public space, more residential development within the town centre and  better pedestrian routes.

“The Horley Town Centre Regeneration SPD focuses on three ways of implementing the regeneration: improving movement in the town; improving the physical environment and identifying specific sites for development.

“Improving the physical environment and the economic potential of Horley town centre are priorities in the Council’s 2006-2009 Corporate Plan.  Adopting this SPD is an important step towards the improvements that Horley town centre needs and deserves.”

Proposals to improve movement into and within Horley include improvements to:

• car parking

• traffic circulation

• pedestrian and cycle links

• public transport.

Works is already well underway on planned improvements to Horley Station with car park enhancements and a new bus interchange due to be delivered next year.  These works are funded in part by Horley Master Plan contributions secured on new developments across Horley.

Improvements to the physical environment include:

• creating a stronger sense of place

• better gateways to the town centre to improve first impressions

• new and improved public spaces.

Four key sites have been identified for potential redevelopment to attract new investment into the centre.

• The creation of a town square, named Consort Square, in the area of the Consort Way car park, aims to create a focal point for the town. 

• The existing library site has been earmarked for new town centre homes, with the library relocated to the heart of the town. 

• Improvements to the station area aim to improve the image of Horley and make public transport more accessible for residents. 

• The prominent former Virgin and Legal & General sites have potential for a landmark commercial redevelopment. 

The Council recently purchased Newman House (Virgin's former offices) from Legal & General, in order to kick-start the regeneration and is currently reviewing options for redevelopment.  It is likely that any scheme on the site would include a mix of residential and retail uses.

The draft SPD was the subject of a six-week public consultation from 29 March to 9  May 2006.  Following the consultation, responses were considered and changes were made to the draft as appropriate.

The finalised documents were formally adopted as council policy by the Executive on Thursday, 9 November 2006.

I want to see more information about the Horley Town Centre Regeneration SPD. (link)

Background

In June 2004 the Borough Council in partnership with Surrey County Council and Horley Town Council appointed an urban design consultancy, Roger Evans Associates, to provide framework to guide the regeneration of Horley town centre over the next 15 to 20 years. 

Proposals for the revitalisation, which were developed with extensive involvement of local people and stakeholders, were approved by the Executive on 3 March 2005 and involve:

• Creating a thriving town centre by developing shops and offices to complement those that already exist. 

• Improving the appearance of the town, creating public spaces, installing street lighting and planting new trees.

• Developing a more vibrant town by enhancing leisure facilities and the town's evening economy. 

• Better provision for the needs of community, with more shops and services that appeal to young people and families.

• Improving first impressions for those coming into the town.

• Improving access, especially east to west.

• Providing more housing in the town centre.

A task group was set up to manage the long-term revitalisation project with representatives from the Borough, County and Town Councils, Horley Chamber of Commerce, Horley Town Centre Management Group and the consultants, Roger Evans Associates.

The Horley Town Centre Regeneration SPD supplements the appropriate sections of the policies and proposals contained in the Reigate and Banstead Borough Local Plan 1994 First Alteration 2005 in dealing with the development of 2,600 additional dwellings in Horley.