The petition of residents of Arundel and South Downs,
Declares that the proposed site of Heath Common by Clarion Housing Group is inappropriate for the development of residential housing; further that this site was not designated in the democratically mandated Storrington and Sullington and Washington joint-neighbourhood plan; further that original permissions granted for the land were indicative only of tree-felling.
The petitioners therefore request the House of Commons to urge the Government to offer support to residents against the proposed development at Heath Common, Storrington, by Clarion Housing Group and formally acknowledge its inappropriateness for a residential development.
And the petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Andrew Griffith, Official Report, 15 September 2021; Vol. 700, c. 1090.]
[P002687]
Observations from The Minister of State, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (Christopher Pincher):
Due to the role of the Secretary of State in the planning system, the Government are unable to comment on specific development proposals.
Neighbourhood plans continue to have real statutory weight in planning decisions. Once passed at referendum, neighbourhood plans form part of the development plan alongside the local plan. Decisions on planning applications must be taken in accordance with the development plan for the area unless material considerations indicate otherwise.
The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which is a material consideration, is clear that where a planning application conflicts with an up-to-date neighbourhood plan as part of the development plan, permission should not usually be granted. The NPPF also includes important protections for neighbourhood plans where speculative applications are submitted that conflict with the plan.