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You are here: Home > News > Horley town centre regeneration

Horley town centre regeneration a step closer

News release dated 27 February 2006 about planning guidelines for the Horley town centre regeneration being agreed for public consultation by the Executive.

The draft planning guidelines for the future regeneration of Horley town centre were agreed for public consultation by the Borough Council’s Executive on Thursday, 23 February 2006.

The Horley Town Centre Regeneration Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) provides planning guidance to ensure that any new development facilitates the regeneration of Horley town centre, meets planning policies and meets community needs.

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.
 
“Improving the physical environment and the economic potential of the town are priorities in the Council’s 2006-2009 Corporate Plan.

“The Horley Town Centre Regeneration Supplementary Planning Document provides detailed formal guidance to help developers interpret planning policy, which will be taken into account when regenerating Horley town centre and determining planning applications.

“This guidance will not only apply to large-scale development but to any planning application in the town." 

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 SPD focuses on three methods for the implementation of the town centre regeneration: 

• improving movement in the town
• improving the physical environment
• identifying specific sites for development. 

To improve movement into and within Horley, plans include improvements to:

• car parking, pedestrian and cycle links
• the station and bus interchange 
• traffic circulation
• the bus network.

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:

1. 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.  
2. The existing library site has been earmarked for new town centre homes, with the library relocated to the heart of the town.  
3. Improvements to the station area aim to improve the image of Horley and make public transport more accessible for residents.  
4. The prominent former Virgin and Legal & General site has potential for a landmark commercial redevelopment of offices, shops apartments and parking.

The draft Horley Town Centre SPD will be published for public consultation in March 2006.  The consultation will last for six weeks, ending April.

Cllr Mrs Spiers continued: “Publishing the SPD for public consultation will be an important step towards the improvements that Horley town centre needs and deserves. 

“When the time comes, I would urge everyone with an interest in Horley - local residents, businesses and community representatives - to see what we are planning and tell us what you think.  

"Comments from this consultation can then be taken into account when finalising the regeneration plans."

Following the public consultation, the Executive will consider the responses and make changes, as appropriate, to the draft SPD.  Full Council will then consider the final documents and it is anticipated that they will be ready for adoption in November 2006.

Background

In June 2004 the Borough Council in partnership with Surrey County Council and Horley Town Council appointed urban design consultancy, Roger Evans Associates to help with the Councils' regeneration plans.

The consultants were tasked with providing a comprehensive development strategy and design framework for Horley Town Centre to guide the gradual regeneration over the next 15 to 20 years.

A task group was set up to manage the 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 Urban Design Framework identifies five key themes for Horley town centre’s future:

1. Intensify activity in Horley to create a long-term sustainable town centre
2. Fortify Horley’s role as the local centre
3. Improve Horley’s sense of place and distinctiveness
4. Exploit Horley’s proximity to Gatwick
5. Use the station as a central transportation hub

Proposals for the Horley Town Centre revitalisation were agreed by the Executive on 3 March 2005, which 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.

The plans were developed with extensive involvement of local people and stakeholders.

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.

• Show me more information about the Horley Town Centre Regeneration and the Horley Master Plan.