Plans to increase developers’ contributions towards facilities in Horley
News release dated 2 May 2008 about a consultation on changes to infrastructure contributions from Horley developments.
Residents are being asked for their views on proposals to increase the contributions that developers of new homes in Horley will have to make to ensure that the infrastructure and community facilities in the area can support the increasing population.
"The changes reflect our commitment to ensuring that services and facilities to meet the community’s needs are in place." (Cllr Mrs Joan Spiers, Executive Member for Planning & Housing)
The changes to the Horley Infrastructure Provision Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) are being introduced to reflect a greater need for education provision, travel planning and investment in the town centre.
The money will go towards a new town park providing sports pitches and changing rooms, a riverside green chain network of more than 50 hectares, three new allotment sites, two neighbourhood centres including shops and community halls and recycling facilities.
Contributions are also being collected on behalf of other bodies, including Surrey County Council to provide further investment towards new primary schools, secondary education facilities and access to post 16 education; provision of a new youth centre in Horley’s old fire station; improvements to public transport, roads and new pedestrian and cycle links.
Planning sustainably
Cllr Mrs Joan Spiers, Executive Member for Planning and Housing, said: "Builders of developments are expected to provide the necessary infrastructure and community facilities to support them, or make a contribution towards them to ensure that we can plan sustainably.
"The Horley Infrastructure Provision SPD details what infrastructure is required and what contributions developers are required to make, which is secured through legal agreements.
"The changes to the SPD reflect our commitment to ensuring that high quality services and facilities to meet the community’s needs are in place.”
The Horley Infrastructure Provision SPD was originally adopted in January 2006 to secure the necessary investment in infrastructure and social facilities needed to meet the 30 per cent increase in population of the town that the 2,600 homes in the new neighbourhoods in Horley are expected to generate.
The guidance not only applies to the large-scale developments in the North East and North West sectors of Horley but also to planning applications for smaller developments in the town.
The Horley Infrastructure Provision Supplementary Planning Document has already proved a success and has been used as a model for Government in its proposed Community Infrastructure Levy.
Consultation
The consultation on the revised SPD runs from 7 May 2008 and closes on 6 June 2008.
The Executive will then consider the responses to the consultation before adopting the document as planning policy, which will be taken into account when determining planning applications.
More information on the consultation and the changes to the Horley Infrastructure Provision Supplementary Planning Document can be found on the Horley Infrastructure Provision SPD page.
Alternatively copies of the SPD are available at Help Shops and local libraries.
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