The Crawley Council meeting on Thursday 13 June 2024 focused on several key issues, including the approval of a new housing development, the introduction of a local environmental initiative, and updates on community safety measures. Decisions were made to move forward with the housing project and to implement the environmental initiative.

New Housing Development

The council approved a new housing development project in Forge Wood. The development will include 150 new homes, with 30% designated as affordable housing. Councillors discussed the need for more housing in the area, citing the council's previous commitment to increasing affordable housing stock. Concerns were raised about potential traffic congestion and the impact on local schools. However, the majority of councillors supported the project, emphasising the importance of meeting housing demands.

This development is crucial for addressing the housing shortage in Crawley. We must ensure that our residents have access to affordable homes, said one councillor.

Local Environmental Initiative

A new environmental initiative aimed at increasing urban greening factors¹ was introduced. The initiative, called Green Crawley, will focus on planting more trees, creating green roofs, and enhancing public parks. The council decided to allocate £500,000 to the project, which aligns with their manifesto pledge to improve local environmental sustainability. Councillors highlighted the benefits of urban greening, including improved air quality and enhanced community well-being.

Green spaces are vital for our community's health and happiness. This initiative will make Crawley a greener, more pleasant place to live, stated a councillor.

Community Safety Measures

Updates were provided on ongoing community safety measures, including the installation of new CCTV cameras in Tilgate. The council reported a decrease in crime rates in areas where cameras had already been installed. Plans were discussed to extend the CCTV network to other parts of Crawley. Councillors expressed support for the measures, noting the positive impact on public safety.

The reduction in crime rates is a clear indication that our community safety measures are working. We must continue to invest in these initiatives to ensure the safety of our residents, remarked a councillor.

For more details, you can refer to the Agenda frontsheet 13th-Jun-2024 12.00 Councillors Information Bulletin and the Public reports pack 13th-Jun-2024 12.00 Councillors Information Bulletin.