Decision Maker: Head of Economy and Planning

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: August 11, 2023

Purpose: National Planning Policy requires each Local Planning Authority to demonstrate effective and on-going joint working with its neighbouring authorities/other authorities in the sub-region and other prescribed bodies, through the preparation and maintenance of Statements of Common Ground (SoCG). These must be agreed by the point of Submission of each Local Plan for its independent Examination. As part of the Crawley Borough Local Plan Review, substantial joint working with all of the neighbouring authorities and Prescribed Bodies has taken place and a number of SoCG have already been agreed. This is set out in the Crawley Duty to Cooperate Statement (May 2023): https://crawley.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2023-05/Duty%20to%20Cooperate%20Statement%20May%202023%20%28low%20res%29.pdf A new bilateral Statement of Common Ground has been agreed between Crawley Borough Council and West Sussex County Council in relation to the Crawley Borough Local Plan. It responds to representations received from West Sussex County Council during the recent Regulation 19 Publication Consultation (held May-June 2023). The Crawley Borough Council and West Sussex County Council Statement of Common Ground has been agreed and signed by Crawley Borough Council and West Sussex County Council.

Content: To approve the Crawley Borough Council and West Sussex County Council Statement of Common Ground for submission to the Planning Inspectorate as part of the Crawley Borough Local Plan Examination.  This decision was taken in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development and the Leader.