Agenda item

Andrew Marsh, Business Unit Leader for Planning Policy introduced the report. He commented that the Town Centre  plays a vital role in the heart of the community, and it must remain vibrant and prosperous.  Haywards Heath has good transport links, and a good public realm, which the Master Plan seeks to regenerate.  The high-level framework of the Master Plan will provide clarity for the community and investors.  It will also support bids for future funding and priorities for future projects.  The Master Plan will be a material consideration for future planning schemes and will replace the existing 2007 Masterplan. It will not set policy but will supplement District Plan policy DP2. The Masterplan draws together a number of existing studies such as those prepared by the County Council and Town Council.

The Business Unit Leader highlighted various sections of the report and confirmed that the inclusion of a site in the Master Plan does not confirm the site is available.   He noted the public consultation in November and December and the Community Involvement Plan.  The consultation results will come back to the committee in January 2021 and the Council will consider the next version for adoption in March 2021.

Several Members welcomed the comprehensive report and the Chairman commented that the public need to contribute to ensure a robust document going forward.  Members questioned how the Council would engage the public in the consultation in the current pandemic.

The Business Unit Leader confirmed the current restrictions regarding the pandemic had been considered.  He noted that the Council had received a good response to virtual consultations over the last six months. To encourage participation in the consultation, an interactive map facility was being made available on the website.  Consultees could then click and view the proposals and interact that way.  Copies of the Master Plan would be available in the library, help-point and the Town Council’s office for inspection should restrictions allow.  They hoped to include an article in the next edition of Mid Sussex Matters as it is distributed to every household in the District, ensuring a wide reach.  There would also be the usual press release and listings on social media.

In response to a Member’s question, Sally Blomfield, Divisional Leader for Planning & Economy advised that Burgess Hill has a strong variety of employment sectors, and the banking and financial sectors of Burgess Hill had been included as they are the strongest examples.  She stated the time frame of the Master Plan was 2031, to tie in with District Plan and references to short, medium and long term was in this context.

Members expressed concern that on-street parking causes traffic congestion, queried the use of Controlled Parking Zones,  timing for the introduction of 20 mph zones, and plans for a multi storey car park at The Orchards.

The Business Unit Leader advised that the operation side of parking is not in the high-level Master Plan as that will be covered by other work streams.  The reduction of traffic is a key part of the Plan.  The aspiration is to make South Road and The Broadway more pedestrian friendly.  The inclusion of traffic calming, pedestrian crossings and speed limits should divert traffic to the relief road where there is greater capacity.  Further projects will investigate the design and effectiveness of other measures.  He confirmed a multi storey car park at The Orchards was part of the proposals on page 126 which contain a number of principles for consideration at design stage

In response to a Member’s question on the boundary for Haywards Heath Town Centre and why Boltro Road was not included, the Business Unit Leader advised it covered areas which contained Town Centre uses, as described on page 133 of the report. He reminded the Committee that this was a draft document, subject to a public consultation, where other views could be expressed.

Members expressed concern that the public might get confused with this consultation and that of the future use of Clair Hall. 

Rob Anderton, Divisional Leader for Commercial Services and Contracts confirmed he would work with the policy team to ensure the processes for the consultations align and there should be no confusion for the public.  He noted that the users of Clair Hall would be consulted through the use of a consultant.

In response to a question about the detailed proposed layout of the gyratory, the Business Unit Leader confirmed that this is a high-level plan only, setting principles, and stakeholders would be involved at the design stage of schemes.  The Master Plan only establishes aims and principles.

Andrew MacNaughton, Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning thanked the Business Unit Leader for his thorough introduction.  He highlighted that the Council must consider the comments received.

As there were no further questions the Chairman took the Committee to the

recommendations which was agreed unanimously.

RESOLVED

That the Scrutiny Committee:

(i)    Considered the Consultation Draft Haywards Heath Town Centre Masterplan SPD;

(ii)   Delegated authority to Divisional Leader for Planning and Economy, in consultation with the Cabinet Member, to make typographical, grammatical and photographic editorial changes before consultation; and

(iii)  Recommended that Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning approves the document for public consultation.