7.6 In order to maintain, and improve, the quality of the environment in Horsham District, the potential for development to generate pollution will need to be considered and appropriately mitigated where necessary.

7.7 The Council will seek to ensure that surface water flooding is managed to prevent the contamination of water courses. Where necessary, contaminated land should be remediated, and the appropriate types and locations of lighting should be used, so as not to give rise to unnecessary light pollution, particularly in rural areas.

7.8 Noise pollution can have a significant impact on the quality of life and health of individuals and communities. To help avoid adverse noise impacts from development, authorities in East and West Sussex have produced a Planning Guidance Document on this issue. Applicants should therefore address the issues raised in this document prior to making an application.

7.9 The air quality in Horsham District is of particular concern, and can lead to a number of health problems, including cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.  When air quality falls below certain thresholds, councils must declare an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) and prepare an Air Quality Action Plan to address the air quality issues in this area.  Two AQMAs have been declared in the District, in Storrington and Cowfold, both due to the exceedance of the annual mean objective for nitrogen dioxide. Therefore, development proposals should give particular consideration to their impact on air quality and the detail of this is provided in a revised planning policy. 

7.10 Proposals for new development within the vicinity of an existing business or community facility where it is considered that the current use could have a significant adverse environment impact on the new development, will not be supported unless it can be demonstrated that suitable mitigation will be implemented prior to the occupation or use of the new proposal.

Air Quality

7.11 The main source of air pollution in Horsham District is from vehicle emissions, although emissions from households including open fires also contribute.  The existing areas of poor air quality, together with the potential for traffic increases arising from new development across the District have led the Council taking the decision to declare the whole of the District an 'Emission Reduction Area'.  Therefore all developments in Horsham District must be appropriate to their location, taking account of the likely effects of air pollution on health, living conditions and the natural environment and make reasonable endeavours to minimise emissions, and where necessary, offset the impact of that development on the environment.  

7.12 The Council, along with other local authorities located in West and East Sussex, is a member of the Sussex Air Quality Partnership, which seeks to ensure that a consistent approach is taken towards the management of air pollution.  They have produced guidance 'Air Quality and Emissions Mitigation Guidance for Sussex (2019)' which outlines the steps required to assess and mitigate the impact that new developments may have on local air quality for a number of air pollutants.  

7.13 The mechanisms for calculating the additional transport emissions associated with development and the method for determining the estimated monetary value of damage from proposed development caused by pollutants PM and NOx is set out in The Air Quality and Emissions Mitigation Guidance for Sussex (2019).

7.14 It should be noted that the design and layout of development can help to offset air quality impacts, and this should include the preservation and enhancement of green infrastructure - green spaces and woodland can help to offset the impacts of adverse air quality.

7.15 Applicants will be expected to refer to this guidance, or any future updates, screening checklist and where appropriate, enter into pre-application discussions with the Council's Air Quality Officer, to discuss site-specific considerations. 

7.16 The Council is seeking to maintain and where appropriate enhance the beauty and amenity of both the natural and built-up areas of the District. The potential for development to result in small changes that cumulatively impact on landscape, settlement character and the natural environment will be a key consideration, particularly in terms of the impact on smaller scale and local features. In addition to the protected landscapes, as shown on the Policies Map, Neighbourhood Plans and other development proposals will need to demonstrate that proposals conserve and enhance the character of the District as identified in documents such as the Horsham District Landscape Character Assessment 2003, Proposals should also demonstrate that development is located in areas with the greatest landscape capacity to accommodate development, as indicated in the Landscape Capacity Assessment 2019, or another subsequent updates to this documentation. Where appropriate, local green space designations may also have a role in conserving and enhancing the District, where it can be demonstrated that they are special to the local community in accordance with national guidance.

7.17 Consideration of the townscape character of settlements will be informed by broad based studies of historic character, Conservation Area Appraisals, Village or Parish Design Statements and any emerging Neighbourhood Plans. Maintenance of the existing settlement pattern is a key objective for the Council, and in particular maintaining the separation between settlements (see Policy 29 Settlement Coalescence).

7.18 Neighbourhood Plans and development proposals will need to demonstrate that proposals contribute to the multi-functional network of green spaces, water and other environmental features in urban and rural areas known as Green Infrastructure. Green Infrastructure includes trees, parks, road verges, allotments, cemeteries, woodlands, rivers and wetlands. The Council's Green Infrastructure Strategy identifies current and potential future provision of Green Infrastructure. This includes the opportunity to enhance existing biodiversity in identified opportunity areas. There is an expectation that there will be net gains to biodiversity, and Neighbourhood Plans and development proposals will also be required to demonstrate that existing biodiversity is protected and enhanced, including the hierarchy of designated sites indicated on the proposals maps and where necessary, demonstrate the requirements of the Habitats Regulations have been met.  In addition to the identified Green Infrastructure, a strategic scale Nature Recovery Network is being developed in partnership with organisations such as the Sussex Wildlife Trust, and towards which future development will be expected to contribute. The provision of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) is expected to be given early consideration, and incorporated into development proposals at the outset, taking account of issues relating to their management, long term adoption and maintenance, and to enhancing the landscape

7.19 Whilst it is recognised that the undeveloped nature of rural areas must be protected, it is acknowledged that there may be circumstances where development is necessary to ensure the continued sustainable development of rural areas, including where it is necessary to retain farms and facilitate efficient sustainable farming operations. It might also include redevelopment of rural brownfield sites, which is required to sustain social and economic needs of rural communities, such as business uses, community, leisure, cultural and tourism facilities, or necessary upgrades to infrastructure, such as water supplies, or high speed broadband and renewable energy.   

7.20 In addition to this policy, applicants should also take account of Policies 25 Environmental Protection, Policy 30 - Protected Landscapes, and Policy 31 Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity when considering environmental and landscape impacts of their development. 

7.21 Horsham District covers a large area and contains a diverse range of characteristics, from the heavily wooded character in the north, to more open river floodplains in the south. The Council is seeking to identify the most valued parts of the District for protection, and to maintain and enhance this natural beauty and the amenity of the District's countryside. It is considered important that the unique characteristics of the District's landscapes are retained and where practicable, enhanced. It will be necessary to ensure that development proposals take into account the key characteristics of the landscape character areas.

7.22 It is recognised that as part of the requirement to deliver a step change in housing growth, the Council may need to consider the allocation of urban extensions or a new settlement as part of a genuinely plan-led approach. Should such an approach be taken, these areas will have a designated settlement boundary. Areas outside any new allocations or other designated settlement boundaries will be expected to be retain their predominantly rural character. However, it is important not to unduly restrict rural communities and to maintain some flexibility to enable organic growth of existing appropriately located enterprises such as rural businesses, rural housing exception sites and rural workers’ accommodation.  

7.23 For the purposes of this policy, sustainable development of rural areas includes the diversification of activities on existing farm units which facilitate and do not prejudice the agricultural use. It also includes the suitably scaled expansion of existing appropriately located uses (premises and/or site) and the re-use/redevelopment of brownfield sites for equestrian, business or tourism use. The policy enables appropriate regard to be given to new development often located within the countryside such as equestrian facilities / stables; small scale camping facilities especially where linked to existing premises; green energy generating facilities ancillary to an existing premises or demonstrated to be of Regional or wider importance; and petrol filling stations located on an 'A' road. Where appropriate, the Council may seek evidence as to why a proposed use cannot be located within a built-up area boundary. 

7.24 Horsham District is characterised by rural countryside interspersed with a network of market towns, villages and small hamlets. There is a need to retain the network of rural settlements and their separate identities, and it is important to contain the rural settlements and retain the sense of leaving one place and arriving at another. There are places where further development in the gap between settlements would result in the areas joining and losing their own individual sense of place. Even where there is countryside between settlements, the presence of buildings, signs and other development along roads prevents the sense of leaving a settlement and passing through the countryside. At night, various forms of artificial lighting can also lead to a sense of continuous urbanisation. A particular example is the A264 between north eastern edge of Horsham and Crawley. Other communities in the district have raised concerns about the potential for other settlements to merge, including Southwater and Horsham, and West Chiltington Common with West Chiltington Village.

7.25 Whilst the existing situation cannot be addressed by planning policy, further urbanisation can be resisted. This policy will ensure that settlements retain their unique identity and the undeveloped nature of the landscape between towns and villages will be retained. The Council will consider how proposals fit within the wider topography and whether landscape features such as the network of fields, trees and hedgerows are conserved, and therefore maintain the break between settlements. We will also seek to limit other urbanising impacts including increased lighting, traffic movements and ribbon development along road corridors. It should be noted that this policy applies to all settlements, but particular regard to the policy criteria will be given when considering proposals located between Horsham and Crawley, Southwater and Horsham, or West Chiltington Common and West Chiltington Village.

7.26 It is recognised that a number of proposals have been submitted to the Council for consideration as locations for strategic housing growth. A number of these are in the key locations which have been identified as being most sensitive for their potential for settlement coalescence. Whilst no final decisions have been made as to whether these sites should be allocated, the sites are in locations where there has been sustained pressure for development. Paragraph 72 e of the National Planning Policy Framework states that when identifying suitable and sustainable locations for development they should consider whether it is appropriate to establish Green Belt around or adjoining new developments of a significant size.   Therefore, as part of our consideration of these sites, will look at whether any locations in the District meet the criteria for Green Belt designation, which are set out in paragraph 135 of the NPPF. Any proposals would require the Council to:

1. demonstrate why normal planning and development management policies would not be adequate;
2. set out whether any major changes in circumstances have made the adoption of this exceptional measure necessary;
3. show what the consequences of the proposal would be for sustainable development;
4. demonstrate the necessity for the Green Belt and its consistency with strategic policies for adjoining areas; and
5. show how the Green Belt would meet the other objectives of the Framework.

7.27 Designated for their national importance in terms of landscape and scenic quality, sections of both High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the South Downs National Park fall within the administrative area of Horsham District. The South Downs National Park Authority is the Planning Authority for the National Park Area, including the area within Horsham District. This policy, in common with all others in this plan does not therefore apply to the land within the National Park Area, however, appropriate regard should be given in respect of land within its setting.

7.28 It is essential that the key qualities of these protected landscapes are conserved and enhanced. In the AONB, this includes the heavily wooded character, gill streams and historic farmsteads and into the locally distinctive hammer ponds whereas a key feature of the South Downs are the steep scarp slopes which form a backdrop to many of the settlements in the south of the district. The conservation and enhancement of protected landscapes will be actively supported, particularly as defined in the High Weald AONB Management Plan and the South Downs Integrated Landscape Character Assessment or any other relevant updates to these documents.

7.29 Development has the potential to harm protected landscapes. Major development within the AONB will not normally be permitted, and will need to demonstrate that the need for development cannot be met elsewhere or in another way, and that the development is in the public interest. It is however acknowledged that protected landscapes need to be able to adapt to cope with new pressures and meet the needs of residents in the area, and there may be cases where small scale development that helps to maintain economic or social well-being in or adjoining these landscapes is necessary.

7.30 Development close to the edge of both the AONB and the South Downs National Park has the potential to have adverse impacts on the qualities of these landscapes, and applicants will need to be mindful of this in relation to any proposals close to the boundary of either of these protected landscapes.

Green Infrastructure

7.31 Green Infrastructure is a term used to describe a multi-functional and connected network of green spaces, water and other environmental features in urban and rural areas. It includes trees, parks, road verges, allotments, cemeteries, woodlands, rivers and wetlands. Green Infrastructure can contribute to the provision of 'ecosystem services'. This includes flood protection, water purification, carbon storage, land for food production, places for recreation, landscape and nature conservation. Without these services, life as we know it would not be possible, and increased flooding or drought episodes would have severe economic consequences.

7.32 The Council has identified the key strategic Green Infrastructure Assets and opportunities in the District. In addition to existing features such as woodland and rivers, there are also new opportunity areas where new elements of green infrastructure could be provided in the future. It is important to note that Green Infrastructure extends beyond Council boundaries - the Downs Link for example extends north to Guildford and south to Shoreham-by-Sea. Green Infrastructure also exists at a smaller scale, in towns, villages and neighbourhoods. New development can also provide new green infrastructure, such as sustainable drainage systems that can also be used as green spaces, or by providing new recreation routes that are planted to benefit biodiversity.

7.33 The network of Green Infrastructure within the District must be maintained and enhanced. Further detail on the precise location of the strategic Green Infrastructure assets is available in our Green Infrastructure Strategy documentation. Applicants will also need to be mindful of other policies in this document and any future revisions. 

7.34 In addition to the identified Green Infrastructure, a strategic level Nature Recovery Network is being established to which the Green Infrastructure network will contribute.  The Nature Recovery Network will be informed by the five year ‘Wilder Horsham District’ partnership between the District Council and the Sussex Wildlife Trust approved on the 28 November 2019.  Nationally, 41% of UK species’ populations have reduced since the 1970s, and 15% of wildlife species are estimated to be under threat of extinction.  The partnership aims to reverse the decline in species and habitats and to contribute to tackling and reducing the impacts of climate change.  The partnership seeks to take a landscape approach to overcome fragmentation and build landscape resilience to help ensure wildlife can move around, and to build a legacy so the work to reverse the decline continues beyond the life of the partnership.  It will initially focus on the following landscapes and areas but this focus may change to take into account work by the Sussex Nature Partnership. Development proposals should therefore consider how they can contribute towards to the following:

1. Hedgerows in the Low Weald (providing important connectivity between fragmented habitats)
2. Woodland – new planting and allowing natural regeneration, important tools in capturing more carbon and helping wildlife
3. The Adur catchment; improve freshwater and floodplain habitats, water quality and flood resilience through working with natural processes
4. Join up key sites, such as the Knepp Estate with the woodland to the north-east of Horsham town and The Mens in the west of the District, creating the core of a District wide ecological network.
5. Take action to support pollinating insects throughout the district, in both towns and rural areas.

Biodiversity

7.35  A key element of Green Infrastructure is retaining a rich biodiversity network.  The nature of the habitats and species found across the District is very varied, but key characteristics include the network of woodland habitats, which is particularly dense in the north of the District. Much of this woodland has been present since at least 1600. Designated as ancient woodland, these areas are of particular importance to wildlife and are irreplaceable. As identified by the Local Economic Partnership, woodland has the potential to play a key economic role in the District in the future, providing a low carbon fuel source and biodiversity benefits. Another key habitat in the District is the dense network of hedgerows, which support a range of wildlife and act as corridors, linking wildlife habitats within the District. The floodplains of the Arun and Adur are also distinctive habitats within the District, and the Arun Valley is of both national and international importance for nature conservation. Farmland is another key habitat across the District, and the south-west of the District provides an important feeding ground for the internationally important Barbastelle bats.

7.36 Development has the potential to harm biodiversity both directly and indirectly. Direct effects include loss of land to new development, whereas indirect effects include increased traffic resulting in a decline in air quality, which can impact habitats and species some distance from a development site. Development does however have potential to create places for biodiversity, for example by maintaining existing and planting native species as part of site landscaping, or incorporating features such as bat and bird boxes, hedgehog accessible ‘boundary gaps’, and green roofs/walls which provide better insulation and help to reduce surface water run-off.

7.37 This policy seeks to secure a 10% net gain in biodiversity, as a minimum.  The Policies Map shows the location of key nature conservation sites and further information regarding the location of areas with potential for enhancing biodiversity (biodiversity opportunity areas) is available in the Council's Green Infrastructure Strategy and the Sussex Biodiversity Action Plan. Further information on habitats and species that have been recorded in the District is available from the Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre.

7.38 Development proposals must provide sufficient information to assess the effects of development on biodiversity, and should provide any necessary ecological / geodiversity surveys and reports. These should include any proposed prevention, mitigation or compensation measures. Reports should include evidence that they have followed the mitigation hierarchy set out in BS42020, which seeks as a preference to avoid impacts, then to mitigate unavoidable impacts, and, as a last resort, to compensate for unavoidable residual impacts that remain after avoidance and mitigation measures.

7.39 Appropriate regard should be given to current and historical data, regeneration / re-population potential, species’ adaptability to climate change, irreplaceability of habitats, the significance of the site for the connectivity of habitats and species, and, where possible an assessment of ‘natural capital’. All development proposals should seek to enhance biodiversity through a range of measures, including enhancements either on or off the site, and provide buffer strips around protected sites, including Ancient Woodland and other vulnerable habitats, and maintain, reinstate and enhance wildlife corridors. Applicants will also need to be mindful of the presence of any invasive species on the site and seek to remove these in accordance with any relevant legislation.

7.40 Although located in the South Downs National Park, applicants will need to be particularly mindful of the impact development within Horsham District could have on Arun Valley Special Protection Area (SPA) and The Mens Special Area for Conservation (SAC). Both these sites are of international importance for nature conservation, and applicants will need to demonstrate that development does not have adverse impacts on either of these sites in accordance with relevant legislation. In the case of Arun Valley, proposals must demonstrate that they will avoid harm to the water quality and water levels on site. In the case of The Mens, development must not impact on bat flight paths in the District. As recommended in the Habitat Regulations Assessment of this plan, a 'bat sustenance zone' has been identified and is shown on the Policies Map. Within this area, it may be necessary for compensatory measures such as hedgerow enhancement to be undertaken prior to any development. This will also contribute to the establishing the Nature Recovery Network. 

7.41 In addition to the wider importance of woodland and Ancient Woodland identified above, individual trees, including 'veteran trees' are also important contributors to the character and biodiversity of the District, and many are protected by Tree Preservation Orders. Traditional orchards are also important for biodiversity. It should be recognised that it may sometimes be necessary to undertake work on or fell protected trees (e.g. due to disease or storm damage). Applicants wishing to undertake work on protected trees are advised to consult the available Government Guidance on this issue. Where replacement planting is required, replanting with native species will be encouraged to ensure that ecological networks remain functional and to prevent the isolation of trees and woodland in the landscape.

7.42 In general, the Council will support new development which retains and /or enhances significant features of nature conservation on development sites, and that brings forward 10% biodiversity net gain.  In addition to supporting development which makes a positive contribution to biodiversity, support will be given for landscape scale enhancements through the Nature Recovery Network, through the creation of green spaces, and linkages between habitats to create local and regional ecological networks. This will not only increase populations of species and the different types of species but also ensure that wildlife is more resilient to change.

7.43 Local Green Space provides a wide range of social, health and environmental benefits and are a vital component of the District's green infrastructure.  The purpose of local green spaces is to protect green areas of particular importance to local communities and provide special protection.  Although individual spaces may not provide the strategic functions of a designation such as Green Belt, they are nonetheless important at a neighbourhood level and should be protected because of their special value to the local community.

7.44 The NPPF ‘presumption in favour of sustainable development’ does not apply to designated local green spaces.  However, national policy is clear that designation of local green space should be consistent with the wider planning policy for the area.  Proposals affecting the designated Local Green Space should be consistent with national Green Belt Policy.