Decision details

The Northern West Sussex Statement of Common Ground (SoCG) and the Northern West Sussex Housing Needs SoCG were approved by the Head of Economy and Planning on 17 July 2023. The 2023 versions of the SoCGs were published on the Crawley Borough Council webpage and submitted to the Planning Inspectorate alongside the Crawley Borough Local Plan to support its examination, and demonstrate that the councils have met the Duty to Cooperate.
Since the previous versions of the SoCGs were agreed, Mid Sussex District Council and Horsham District Council have progressed with their Local Plans. The Mid Sussex District Plan was submitted to the Secretary of State for its independent examination on 8 July 2024. The Horsham District Local Plan has been published for Regulation 19 consultation and is currently being finalised for its own submission to the Secretary of State for independent examination.
On this basis, both of the SoCGs have been revised to reflect factual changes and the progress made since July 2023. As these are an update on the 2023 SoCGs to support the submission of the two neighbouring authorities’ Local Plans, they have been signed off by the Head of Service, in accordance with the delegation scheme (and in consultation with the Cabinet Member).
The revised July 2024 SoCGs are published to the Mid Sussex District Plan Examination Webpage.

To approve the updated versions of the Northern West Sussex Statement of Common Ground and the Northern West Sussex Housing Needs Statement of Common Ground.

Option 1 - To not update the Statements of Common Ground (SoCG). However, up-to-date SoCGs signed by all parties are required for the legal compliance and soundness of the Crawley Borough Local Plan, Mid Sussex District Plan and the Horsham District Local Plan.
Option 2 - To update the Statements of Common Ground and approve the updated versions.