Published: 19 February 2020

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Crawley Borough Council is consulting on its proposal to safeguard four areas from having employment buildings converted into unplanned housing.

The safeguarding, known as ‘non-immediate Article 4 Directions’, would remove permitted development rights (known as prior approval) that allow the conversion of office, light industrial and storage and distribution uses to residential.

This would mean that developers would need full planning permission to change the use of these buildings to residential. Currently a planning application is only necessary if the conversion will cause issues relating to transport, contamination, flooding or business noise.

The Article 4 Directions would apply in:

  • The majority of the Three Bridges Corridor (including Denvale Trade Park, Spindle Way and Stephenson Way) 
  • Maidenbower Business Park 
  • Tilgate Forest Business Centre 
  • Lowfield Heath

In 2016 and 2017, the council was successful in bringing into force Article 4 Directions in Manor Royal Business Improvement District.

Before the new Directions can be introduced a 12-month notification period, including a three-month consultation – which began on Monday (17 February – will be carried out.

The number of business jobs in Crawley grew by 17 per cent per cent between 2011 and 2019, and there is strong potential for further economic growth. Many existing companies are seeking to expand their operations, and new companies are enquiring about opportunities to locate in the borough.

However, a major impediment to continued growth is that Crawley has a very limited supply of available new business land, and the council’s draft Local Plan identifies a land supply deficit of a minimum of 21 hectares. Further, Crawley has lost 61,500 square metres of business space to residential development via permitted development rights.

Our aim is to provide more homes for Crawley people but they must be built to a decent standard. This is best achieved with a planning application. Our proposed changes are designed to prevent the loss of more business space in employment areas, which could have a major adverse economic impact.
 

Councillor Peter Smith

Cabinet member for Planning and Economic Development

Crawley Borough Council

If you would like to comment on the Article 4 Directions, representations can be made in writing until 17 May. If you wish to make a representation, please write to Forward Planning, Crawley Borough Council, Town Hall, The Boulevard, Crawley RH10 1UZ or email Forward Planning.

Subject to consideration of the feedback we receive, the Directions would come into force on 22 February 2021.

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