Two South Downs villages launch neighbourhood plan

Rydon Community College was full on Thursday November 21, as residents came to hear details of the proposed joint Neighbourhood Plan to be produced by Storrington and Sullington Parish Council and Washington Parish Council.

Councillors and a representative from ‘Action in Rural Sussex’ were on hand to explain the process of drafting a Neighbourhood Plan and to emphasise the importance of public involvement.

Storrington and Sullington Parish Council chairman Anna Worthington-Leese said that it was a ‘community plan’ and ‘ideas need to come from the public’.

“We have created five focus groups looking at different aspects and we had quite a considerable number of people sign up for them,” said Mrs Worthington-Leese.

These focus groups will cover the topics of business and the economy, transport and accessibility, community facilities, environment, heritage and local knowledge, and also planning and infrastructure.

“It’s a community plan and the ideas need to come from the public. They need to say ‘we want this’ and ‘we don’t want that’.”

The two parish councils are working together to draft a plan that will manage future developments and encourage business and economic growth in the area.

“We have found a steering group formed of four members of Storrington and Sullington Parish Council, four members of Washington Parish Council and four members of the public. We hope to have the plan complete by May 2015 to coincide with the public elections,” added Mrs Worthington-Leese.

To get involved, contact Storrington and Sullington Parish Council clerk Tracey Mockler on 01903 746547 or visit www.storrington-pc.gov.uk or www.washingtonparish.org.uk