Purpose

National Planning Policy requires each Local
Planning Authority to demonstrate effective and on-going joint
working with its neighbouring authorities/other authorities in the
sub-region and other prescribed bodies, through the preparation and
maintenance of Statements of Common Ground (SoCG). These must be
agreed by the point of Submission of each Local Plan for its
independent Examination.
As part of the Crawley Borough Local Plan Review, substantial joint
working with all of the neighbouring authorities and Prescribed
Bodies has taken place and a number of SoCG have already been
agreed. This is set out in the Crawley Duty to Cooperate Statement
(May 2023):
https://crawley.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2023-05/Duty%20to%20Cooperate%20Statement%20May%202023%20%28low%20res%29.pdf

A Statement of Common Ground has been prepared by the Joint Sussex
North Water Resource Zone (WRZ) Authorities, confirming a joint
commitment by all signatories to ensuring water neutrality in the
WRZ.
The Sussex North WRZ covers a large area within northern West
Sussex, including almost the entirety of the administrative
boundary of Horsham District Council, the north east part of
Chichester District Council, a significant part of Crawley Borough
Council, and a small portion of Mid Sussex District Council. Some
of the area is also located within the boundary of South Downs
National Park Authority. West Sussex County Council is the relevant
upper tier authority for all these areas.
The Statement of Common Ground has been agreed and signed by
Chichester District Council, Crawley Borough Council, Horsham
District Council, Mid Sussex District Council, South Downs National
Park Authority and West Sussex County Council. It has been endorsed
by Natural England, the Environment Agency and Southern
Water.

Content

To agree the Water Neutrality Statement of
Common Ground for submission alongside the Crawley Borough Local
Plan.