Decision Maker: Head of Economy and Planning
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: No
On 13 March 2019, the Cabinet of Crawley Borough Council approved the making of directions under Article 4(1) of the Town and Country (General Permitted Development) Order 2015 (as amended). Detail of this decision is provided in Report PES314.
Following a 12 month notification period and having considered all representations made during consultation, it has been determined that the Article 4 Directions will come into force on 22 February 2021 in the following main employment areas:
- Lowfield Heath
- Maidenbower Business Park
- Tilgate Forest Business Centre
- Three Bridges Corridor (Denvale Trade Park/Spindle Way and Stephenson Way)
The Directions relate to the permitted development rights set out below. From the date they come into force, the Article 4 Directions remove these permitted development rights.
- Class O: Development consisting of a change of use of a building and any land within its curtilage from a use falling within Class B1(a) (offices) of the Schedule to the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987, to a use falling within Class C3 (dwellinghouses) of that Schedule and not being development comprised within any other Class.
- Class P: Development consisting of a change of use of a building and any land within its curtilage from a use falling within Class B8 (storage & distribution centre) of the Schedule to the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987, to a use falling within Class C3 (dwellinghouses) of that Schedule and not being development comprised within any other Class.
- Class PA: Development consisting of a change of use of a building and any land within its curtilage from a use falling within Class B1(c) (light industrial) of the Schedule to the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987, to a use falling within Class C3 (dwellinghouses) of that Schedule and not being development comprised within any other Class.
Having considered all representations received during the consultation period, the Head of Economy and Planning in liaison with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development, is of the view that the Article 4 Directions are justified by robust evidence and are required to ensure there is no adverse impact on the economic role and function of the identified main employment areas or the wider economic function of Crawley.
The decision is a matter of whether or not to
confirm the making of the above Article 4 Directions. The Article 4
Directions will help to retain the supply of business land,
ensuring that there is a good mix and supply of premises within the
main employment areas, helping to support businesses and protect
jobs. It will also build upon the positive impacts of the three
existing Manor Royal Article 4 Directions. If the potential loss of
business floorspace in main employment areas is not managed this
could have a substantial adverse economic consequence on the town
and the
wider sub region with regards to a competitive economy, jobs
growth, and undermining investment in business space. As Crawley
seeks to recover from the significant economic impacts associated
with COVID-19, ensuring a sufficient supply of employment land and
providing certainty for existing and new businesses will be vital.
The Directions will also help to ensure that residential
development does not come forward in locations that would result in
a poor quality of life for future residents.
Publication date: 23/02/2021
Date of decision: 22/02/2021