Agenda item

Richard Symonds, Ifield:

What is the Council doing to help St Margaret's Parish Church ascertain whether there is a possibility of subsidence to the Church and its historic surrounds, as highlighted by Historic England 2 years ago, if Homes England's monstrous development is built West of Ifield?

Councillor Nawaz

(Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development):

The ground conditions in the vicinity of St Margaret’s Church are unlikely to change if Homes England’s West of Ifield development proposals were to happen.  This is because there is an intervening watercourse (Ifield Brook) running along the borough boundary to the west.  However if the Church or residents have concerns I would suggest that they put these concerns in writing to Homes England as they are about to hold another public consultation on the matter.

Helen Owen, Furnace Green:

I'm here with other residents of Furnace Green. We object to the siting of allotments on Ashburnham playing field. I have been in contact with Councillor Hellier and Councillor Crow and have expressed that we were very disappointed that the Council didn't consult with residents.  Now a decision has been taken to halt the building of the allotments. If it goes ahead, will there be planning permission for the allotments?

Supplementary question:

I appreciate the position of delaying the plans.  However I dispute that the consultation done involved local residents as it was done purely online – there were no notices or flyers around the park. I'd like to request that in the future the Council does a proper consultation. I don't want to blame any individual councillors but it was a failure. The only information we have heard has been anecdotal and online. We have no detail of the actual plans such as the size and location so we're being asked to make a judgement on something without the factual evidence – how can we get further information?

Councillor C Mullins

(Cabinet Member for Wellbeing):

Residents were consulted via a survey which was carried out over 4 weeks. It was done genuinely, to try to ascertain whether the allotments should go ahead.  Given the responses it has now been delayed. I can assure you that if it does go ahead, it will need to get planning permission. We are listening to the people who wish to make comment, we will look at those comments and then come to a conclusion.

When the next consultation letter goes out to residents, I will make sure the plans are included.

 Louise Golding, Maidenbower:

I am interested to know why the councillors named under the Motion on this meeting’s agenda are opposed to the proposed Center Parcs at Worth forest.

There are plenty of other areas in Crawley where people can access green space. It's in a perfect location off the M23 and will provide 1,500 jobs.

Councillor Jaggard:

I think the reasons will be explained in the debate that we will have on the Motion later on in the meeting. My main concern is the impact it will have on the ecological systems in Worth forest.

Councillor Crow:

I recognise that some people are in favour of the proposal and others are against it. I feel strongly that the reasons to oppose it outweigh the reasons to support it, and I’ll be setting out these reasons later.

Malcolm Jennings, Furnace Green:

Does the Council intend to do an environmental planning assessment for the area for the proposed allotments?

Councillor C Mullins

(Cabinet Member for Wellbeing):

If the proposed allotments go ahead, we will carry out all the necessary planning assessments.

Resident, Broadfield:

Why can't school children in Crawley have free bus passes?

Councillor Lamb:

Bus passes used to be controlled by Crawley Borough Council but are now a matter dealt with by West Sussex County Council so this is a question for them.  Since then the County Council has gradually reduced the groups of people eligible for free bus passes. A number of us worked hard to protest that at the time.

Resident, Broadfield:

Who looks after the facilities in Crawley and makes sure they're at a good standard?

I have concerns about Broadfield and also the town centre. Some areas are very dilapidated and I would like to have them better maintained.

Councillor Jhans

(Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Sustainability):

The Council’s Environmental Services team looks after a lot of areas across the town. Are there any particular areas you have concerns about?

We have cleaners who go across the town twice a day, but I am happy to look into that further for you.

Connor Fountain, Furnace Green:

I want to ensure the correct procedures are followed for the proposed allotments at Ashburnham playing field. I have just seen the Council try to enforce this plan faster than it should have, so how can you convince me as a member of the public that construction workers won't just turn up one day and start work on the allotments?

Councillor C Mullins

(Cabinet Member for Wellbeing):

We previously did four weeks of consultation.  We've now delayed the works because of the responses we've had and we’re going to reconsider the situation. We want to work with local representatives and residents to come to a conclusion together.

Christina, Furnace Green:

I understand that if the allotment building goes ahead, planning permission will need to be given.  But will we be informed about this before building work starts? I didn't get too much help from my ward councillor about this so I want to know if the residents will be consulted.

Supplementary question:

So just to confirm, we will receive the letters and be able to give our opinions at that stage?

Councillor C Mullins

(Cabinet Member for Wellbeing):

We have done a consultation already but what we're going to do is send a letter to all the houses adjacent to the proposed site asking residents for their opinion.  We’ll also discuss with elected representatives.

Yes.  We'll then look at the responses and come to a conclusion.

John Frankland, Furnace Green:

It seems that a lot of money might be spent on the plan for the allotments - do you have a budget for this? I have concerns because lots of people use the playing fields.

Councillor C Mullins (Cabinet Member for Wellbeing):

Yes, there is a budget for it, however I don't have the figure with me now. The plan is for only 11% of the field to be used. Allotments are very popular and we have lots of people on a waiting list waiting for one – it’s a very healthy and worthwhile hobby. I understand they can change the environment locally but they're not unattractive to look at. They're generally very well-kept across Crawley.