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Washington Parish Council is a consultee for planning applications in the parish areas of Horsham District Council (HDC) and tthe South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA). It does not determine the final decision - this is the statutory responsibility of HDC and the SDNPA and in some cases West Sussex County Council. Please check their websites for details of applications in the parish and guidance for submitting comments:

https://public-access.horsham.gov.uk/public-access

http://planningpublicaccess.southdowns.gov.uk/online-applications

Longbury Hil Wood (south of Rock Road, Heath Common Ward, Washington Parish) Storrington
The land at Longbury Hill Wood is not designated for development in the emerging Horsham District Council Local Plan or the recently adopted Joint Storrington & Sullington and Washington Neighbourhood Plan. It is assessed in the district's latest SHELAA (Strategic Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment) as currently "undevelopable". Click here for the assessment report for the parish on page 16 and the map.

Washington Parish Council supports the policies of the Neighbourhood Plan which rigorously assessed and agreed that only one site needed to be designated for major development in this parish: Vineyards in Old London Road. This is currently in progress and will meet the parish's housing needs identified in the Neighbourhood Plan.

The Parish Council also supports the Heath Common Design Statement, adopted by Horsham District Council as planning guidance which seeks to protect the unique woodland character of this area. Click on this link for the Neighbourhood Plan and the Heath Common Design Statement for moreinformation.

During the Neighbourhood Plan process, over 100 letters from the community were received, supporting this highly valued and environmentally important woodland amenity and 'green lung' for the area

MP launches petition following residents' concerns about development proposals at Longbury Hill Wood(land south of Rock Road, Heath Common Ward of Washington Parish) Storrington. Click here for letter to residents from Andrew Griffith MP (Arundel and South Downs) and for correct survey link to his e-petition. (link in the letter is broken).

Felling Licence REF: 019/180/17-18 Longbury Hill Wood, Rock Road Road, (Heath Common Ward, Washington Parish) Storrington
In 2017, the owner of the woodland was granted a forestry licence to fell a Scots Pine plantation on the site. A number of conditions were imposed, including re-stocking which the Forestry Commission confirmed in 2019 has been achieved through natural regeneration.At a recent meeting, Washington Parish Council expressed concern about the present state of the woodland.
Bearing in mind the Forestry Commission's statement to the Council that 'the site will remain woodland and in the coming years the area will develop and mature as woodland', this Council has requestsed the Forestry Commission's confirmation and assurance that the area at Longbury Hill is being managed and maintained in full compliance, including tree species, density and layout, with the original licence conditions for its proper restoration and preservation. Without this being effective there is serious concern about the future of this highly valued and environmentally important woodland amenity. The Council is awaiting a response.

Published 8th June 2021.