Purpose

The decision to approve the previous 2023 version of the Crawley Borough Council and Mid Sussex District Council Statement of Common Ground (SoCG) was approved by the Head of Economy and Planning, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development, on 11 July 2023. The 2023 version of the SoCG was 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 version of the SoCG was agreed, Mid Sussex District Council has progressed with its Mid Sussex District Plan. This has been published for Regulation 19 consultation and has been submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination.

On this basis, the SoCG has, therefore, been revised and updated to reflect factual changes and the progress made since July 2023.

The revised September 2024 SoCG is attached.

Decision

To approve the updated version of the Mid Sussex District Council and Crawley Borough Council Statement of Common Ground.

Alternative options considered

Option 1 - To not update the Statement of Common Ground (SoCG). However, an up-to-date SoCG signed by both parties is required for the legal compliance and soundness of both the Crawley Borough Local Plan and the Mid Sussex District Plan. Option 2 - To update the Statement of Common Ground and approve the updated version.