This Issues and Options document is intended to outline the issues and opportunities associated with development to the West and North West of Crawley; it does not identify any preferred options but is intended to stimulate and inform the discussion in order to bring the Joint Area Action Plan (JAAP) through to the next stage.   

At this early stage (the Issues and Options stage), it is the role of the JAAP to identify and explain the range of issues which must be addressed and considered in developing the JAAP to ensure that the most important issues have been addressed. Similarly, it provides an opportunity to set out for consultation the various options and opportunities available for addressing those identified issues. Critically, this is not the stage at which the two Authorities will be indicating a preference for particular options; this will be dealt with at the next stage, called the Preferred Option stage.

The Area of Study for the Strategic Development Location is identified in both Horsham District Council (HDC) and Crawley Borough Council’s (CBC) Submission Core Strategies and mirrors the area referred to in the West Sussex Structure Plan (see Picture 1.1 below).  The Area of Study broadly covers the area north of the A264 round to the A23 north of Crawley.  Although there are a number of key environmental and physical constraints within the Area of Study, the western side of Crawley is the only side that has direct access to the countryside, or is not constrained by either national designations or considerable physical constraints.  The key environmental and physical constraints present within the area of study include; Ancient Woodland, Sites of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI), flood risk areas and the existing Gatwick noise shadow.

Conversely, strategic development to the north of Crawley is constrained by Gatwick Airport and strategic development to the east and south is constrained by the area being within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the M23 severing Crawley from the countryside.

There are a number of key issues and options, which need to be taken into account in the delivery of the development, which are laid out in more detail in later chapters of this document.  The JAAP process will address these key issues and determine the most appropriate and sustainable manner to accommodate development to the West and North West of Crawley.

The six-week consultation period on issues and options is a statutory stage in the development of an Area Action Plan (and indeed of all other Local Development Documents). In statutory terms, the Authorities are required to consult with key stakeholders, such as neighbouring authorities, the environment agency, the Highways Agency and gas and electricity providers. The two Authorities’ Statements of Community Involvement (SCI) set out in more detail the consultation requirements the two Authorities have committed themselves to undertake.

In addition, it is considered important to involve local stakeholders; organisations and individuals directly affected by the Area Action Plan such as community and sport groups, amenity societies, as well as more specialist interest groups. We have therefore sought to gain a better understanding of the needs and requirements of a wide range of community and interests groups in the area and will continue to engage with them throughout the preparation of the JAAP.  In essence, a constructive debate at this early stage is vital in developing more site specific proposals through the Preferred Options stage of the JAAP and will ensure that the most appropriate location, in all respect, is eventually identified.

The Joint Area Action Plan for the Strategic Development Location West and North West of Crawley is a Development Plan Document (DPD) and, through its production, it will be subject to extensive consultation and public participation. This will include consultation at the Issues and Options and Preferred Options stages, as well as a period of representation at the Submission stage. Once submitted, it will also be subject to an independent Examination before a Secretary of State appointed planning Inspector before being formally adopted by the two Authorities.