Midhurst Magazine. Issue 31, Spring, April 2020. The 60th year edition.
Planning: Looking Back Harvey Tordoff’s overview ‘The introduction in The Midhurst Magazine, Number 1 Volume 1 (Autumn 1988) says: “The Midhurst Society was founded in the 1950s to safeguard the traditional character of the town and its neighbourhood. Over the years it has sought to promote the concept that development should be compatible with the preservation of historic and other buildings of public interest and that adequate amenities should be provided for residents and visitors.” Nowadays we get involved in much more, but we still take our planning role seriously. Although planning regulations are much tighter than when the Society was formed, we still find it necessary to pass comment on the majority of major proposals, now taking into account environmental issues in a way not contemplated in 1960. Furthermore, instant communication with our members and followers means that we can solicit their views before writing to the relevant planning authority.
The 550-page Pre-Submission Document
be acted upon, however, depends on the integrity with which it speaks. A point of view put forward with factual accuracy and a clear indication that it is given in the belief that it will serve the interests of the community as a whole is more likely to find a response than one that is offered, no matter how insistently, in support of limited or personal objectives.” Members of the Committee have come and gone, but keeping an eye on development proposals has always been a priority. Although we generally don't comment on proposals affecting single properties, we spent a considerable amount of time studying the South Downs Local Plan, which provides the framework for all planning applications in the decade to come. In November 2017 we commented at length (8 pages) on the Presubmission Plan, urging the authors to do more on environmental issues. Sadly, our recommendations were not taken up when the Plan was adopted in July 2019, and we are left to raise the subject of climate change mitigation with each and every major proposal. There is hope, however. In January 2020 SDNPA released a consultation document on Sustainable Construction – A Supplementary Planning Document. This is
Even so, we still follow the principles outlined by the 1988 chairman, Mrs D.V.F. JohnsonDavies in that same magazine. “It is clear that the town will change substantially in the coming years and it is, therefore, more important than ever necessary for those people who live and work in it and in the neighbouring villages to make their collective voice heard above the din of conflicting interests. The Midhurst Society is well placed to help in achieving this; working as it does with other amenity societies, it can convey the opinions of members and others to the decision-makers in the expectation that they will be taken into account by the Authorities during their deliberations.” “The extent to which the collective voice will
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