Mid Sussex District Council increases housing target to 800 per year

Over the summer the council consulted on the District Plan, received feedback and is now proposing to increase its housing target from 650, to 800 per year.

Since the General Election there has been a drive from Central Government to increase the number of homes built, led by the Prime Minister’s commitment to deliver one million new homes by 2020.

This will directly affect the Independent Examination of the Mid Sussex District Plan by the Planning Inspector.

Inspectors have put strong emphasis on the requirement to support neighbouring authorities with any unmet housing need.

As a result the council is proposing to increase the number of homes by 150 per year, with a new strategic development site for 600 dwellings at Hardriding Farm, Pease Pottage.

Councillor Garry Wall, leader of Mid Sussex District Council, said: “Without these modifications we risk years of ‘planning by appeal’, allowing private developers to dictate how much housing there should be in Mid Sussex and where it should go. It’s vital that our District Plan supports sustainable growth and jobs whilst also protecting the unique character of Mid Sussex and these changes are essential if we are to make that happen.”

A report will be presented to the Scrutiny Committee for Planning and Economic Development on November 10.

Members will be asked to agree modifications and a public consultation will run from November 19 until December 31. It will be submitted for Examination in early 2016.