Impossible to navigate plan

I, as many others, have wasted many, many hours attempting to read and comment on HDC’s Draft Local Plan.

It is completely user unfriendly and extremely difficult and frustrating to navigate.

I really want to let HDC know of my huge objections to the massive over development of the countryside and annihilation of the rural areas that are at the very heart of what makes (or should I now say made?) the Horsham district such a great place to live.

I am well aware that HDC are required to abide by the Government’s housing allocation formula, but I am appalled that they have not vigorously challenged these over-inflated figures.

As far as I know, HDC have not given any thought to delaying the consultation response date with regards to the coronavirus, which has meant that many Parish Councils, working hard as unpaid volunteers, have been struggling to meet and work out their responses as a team, in time for the deadline.

With many other meetings, work, classes and now waste recycling sites closed for the foreseeable future, one would have thought HDC would have allowed extra time, given the situation, and would have given consideration to the very serious effects that the current pandemic will now have on the plan and on the local economy as a whole.

Alas, I cannot comment on HDC’s official response pages as I have now given up.

A low response to this plan will not be due to apathy, but due to the inability of HDC to produce an online document that is easily accessible to everyone. I would strongly recommend that HDC looks at Mole Valley’s clear and accessible Local Plan and that they take a leaf from their book.