Warnham’s Parish Design Statement has now been completed. The Design Statement follows on from the Parish Plan and focuses on the style and design of any future construction in the parish. It is based on responses to the Parish Plan questionnaires and comments received on a draft circulated within the parish. It has also been guided by government documentation and advice from Horsham District Council (HDC).

The Design Statement has been formally adopted by HDC and has the designation of a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) within the framework of planning documentation defining HDC’s developmental policies and objectives. This is a new procedure and Warnham’s is one of only three Design Statements to be designated as a SPD.

The Design Statement contains a series of Design Guidelines which should be used as a checklist against which to assess the design and realisation of any new construction, alteration or extension, whether domestic, commercial, landscape or agricultural. Developments that conform to the guidelines are more likely to win favour with the Planning Authority, with Warnham Parish Council, with neighbours and the parish as a whole.

Copies of the Design Statement can be obtained through Gerry Benham, Warnham Parish Clerk at gerry@benham21.freeserve.co.uk or by writing to Warnham Parish Clerk, Rose Cottage, 33 Ferring Street, Ferring, West Sussex BN12 5JN.