Introduction
This plan has been prepared for the community of Steyning by a
Steering Committee working with Steyning Parish Council. This plan
sets out locally specific policies to guide developments from 2019-
2031.
A neighbourhood plan has the same legal status as the Local Plan
prepared by the relevant Local Planning Authority (either South Downs
National Park Authority or Horsham District Council). At this point it
becomes part of the statutory ‘development plan’ and is used in the
determination of planning applications.
Neighbourhood Plan Review 2025
At Steyning Parish Council we will be reconsidering the existing Neighbourhood Plan, which guides future development in the Parish, and was made live in 2022. We are strengthening its influence on planning decisions by introducing a set of Design Codes which set out what developers must do to bring maximum benefits to our town and community.
In the review we are also updating current policy and legislation changes, considering local circumstances and evidence, and acknowledging changes in local opinion. There will be a revised ‘Vision Statement’ to reflect the changes.
The Neighbourhood Plan is by and for the people of Steyning, and is how we communicate what we want, so please do “get involved” in the forthcoming consultation, which we will publicise soon!
The review process
To complete the review, the council will regularly convene a steering committee with a membership including both parish councillors and resident volunteers. Noted below is the relevant meeting documentation, terms of reference and register of volunteers interests.
Steering Committee Meeting Papers
26th November 2025
# – SPC Final Reserved Matters Comments – Glebe Farm Application
# – Steering Com. – W. Party Agenda for 26th November
Supporting Papers:
1. Newly amended design code statement
4. Steyning – Glebe Farm – Minutes from meeting with Vistry – Oct 10th
Appendix 1 – Glebe Farm Boudary Cross-Sections
24th November 2025
# – 1. Response to SDNP Letter dated 10th Nov 25
# – 2. Appeal for urgent task completion -Briefing Email
SDNP & N. Plan documents for review:
1 – Letter from South Downs National Park Policy Team
2 – Land at Horsham Road Steyning (LAA Map)
3 – Land at Horsham Road Steyning (LAA Draft)
4 -Submission-SNDP-Evidence-Local-Green-Space
5 – Steyning-Neighbourhood-Development-Plan-Examiners-Report
18th August 2025
# – 18th August – Working Party Agenda and Briefing Notes
# – 18th August W. Party Recommendations for Planning Com
Glebe Farm Development main documents for review:
1 – Design and Access statement may 2025_compressed
2 – Landscape General Arrangement Plan
3 – Planning and Affordable Housing Statement Final Issue
6 – Stormwater Harvesting System
7 – Community engagement (002)
8 – Materials plan – design code
9 – Roundabout crossing detail
10 – Accommodation schedule and housing type
11 – Affordable housing example plan
12 – Proposed site layout (002)
14 – Storey heights plan (002)
2nd July 2025
# – Draft N Plan Steering Committee Minutes 2nd July 2025
1.0 – N. Plan Committee Agenda 2nd July. 25
6.2 – Neighbourhood Planning Workshop 19 June 2025
11th June 2025
# – N. Plan Steering Com. 11th June Working Party Notes
16th May 2025
Vistry response to SPC Communication dated 16th May 25
14th May 2025
# – N. Plan Steering Com. 14th May Working Party Notes (V3)
1st May 2025
# – N. Plan Steering Committee Minutes 1st May 2025
1.0 – N. Plan Committee Agenda 1st May. 25
6.2 – N. Plan finance briefing note
6.3.1 – HDCs Response to initial findings
6.3.2 – ID08 Inspectors Interim findings
6.3.3 – Inspectors-Letter-Frequently-Asked-Questions-April-2025,-Version-1
9th April 2025
# – 9th April Working Party – A Vision for Steyning -Agreed amendments
26th March 2025
# – N Plan Steering Committee Minutes 26th March 2025
1.0 – Neighbourhood Plan Committee Agenda 26th March. 25
13th March 2025
# – N. Plan Steering Com. 13th March Working Party Notes
Vistry – Steyning Presentation_ for 13th March
5th March 2025
# – Neighbourhood Plan Steering Committee Minutes 5th March 2025
1.0 – Neighbourhood Plan Steering Committee Agenda 5th March. 25 (002)
LCA9 Extract for developer meeting
18th February 2025
# – N.Plan Working Party Notes 18th Feb. 25
1. – Vistry Revised Glebe Fm site plan Feb 25 v1
Steyning Neighbourhood Plan Steering Committee Terms of Reference
1. Purpose
a, The purpose of the Steering Committee is to review the SPC Neighbourhood Plan,
which was originally ‘made’ in September 2022. This review will prioritise establishing a
set of design codes to influence future housing developments within the Parish.
b, The Steering Committee will engage the local residents giving equal consideration
to opinions and ideas from all members of the community.
c, It will consider undertaking an independent study to assess the effectiveness of the
made (current) neighbourhood plan taking into consideration; relevant policy and
legislation, local circumstances and evidence, and also any change in local opinion.
d, The Parish council will need to approve the committee’s recommendations, and
these will then progress to independent examination and adoption following any agreed
amendments stated within the final Inspectors report.
2. Roles and Responsibilities
To achieve this, the Steering Group committee will:
• Engage with external consultants to seek expert guidance. Undertake the process in a
democratic, transparent and fair fashion, encouraging widespread participation
• Be accountable for steering and providing strategic management for amendments to the
Neighbourhood Plan for Steyning;
• Produce, monitor and update a project timetable; Regularly reporting back to the Parish
Council and, if required gaining endorsement for decisions taken;
identify sources of funding and seek to maximise funding from external sources; and
manage the Neighbourhood Plan budget
• Liaise with relevant authorities and organisations to make the plan as effective as
possible;
• Gather data from a wide range of sources to ensure that the conclusions reached are fully
evidenced and that the aspirations and issues of residents are understood;
• Use all available data to enable the preparation of a set of Design Codes for an amended
SPC Neighbourhood Plan
3. Membership
There should be up to 8 Steyning Parish Councillors and up to 4 residents of the local
community representing people who live and/or work within the ‘Designated
Neighbourhood Plan Area’.
4. Delegated Authority
a. The Steering Committee has full delegated authority from the Parish Council to deliver its
Reviewed Plan to the publication of the Pre-Submission document. Then to ensure it is taken
through the examination process and to agree any modifications so that it can be agreed and
adopted by Horsham District Council
b. Steyning Parish Council will be responsible for an annual budget and for any necessary
expenditure in excess of grant funding. Steyning Parish Council will be asked to approve the
Submission Draft Amended Plan prior to publication for consultation and independent
examination.
c. The plan-making process remains the responsibility of the Parish Council as the qualifying
body. All publications, consultation and community engagement exercises will be undertaken on
behalf of the Parish Council. The Parish Council has the authority to dissolve the Steering Committee
or to end work on the Steyning Neighbourhood Plan.
5. Meetings
a. Steering Committee meetings will take place approximately once a month, and where
possible, all meetings should be held within the Parish. The location and dates of future meetings
will be made publicly available via the Parish Council website.
b. Meetings will be open to the general public where necessary, but the Steering Committee
may vote to enter into a Confidential Session when discussing matters of commercial sensitivity or to
protect personal information. The participation in the meeting of any members of the public will be
regulated by the Chair or Vice-Chair.
c. Full Council will elect a Chair and Vice Chair for this Committee to remain in position until
the project is completed. However in the absence of both of these individuals for a meeting, the
remaining Steering Committee members will elect a Chair for that meeting from its number.
d. At least three clear days’ notice of meetings shall be sent to members via email. And
Minutes will be kept of meetings and circulated minutes to Steering Committee members and the
Parish Council in a timely fashion. Minutes shall be made publicly available on the Parish Council
website.
f. Decisions made by the Steering Committee will be made by majority vote. Each member
shall have one vote. A minimum of four steering committee members need to present for the group
to be quorate. The Chair shall have one casting vote in any case of an equality of votes.
g. The Steering Committee has the responsibility to engage with the local community.
Decisions to invite/ engage with representatives from the local community to address Steering
Committee meetings will be decided upon at previous meetings and will be at the discretion of, and
regulated by, the Chair.
6. Working Groups
a. The Steering Committee may establish working groups, made up of volunteers from the
community to aid them in any Neighbourhood Plan related work.
b. Each working group should have a lead person from the Steering Committee.
c. Each working group will have a membership of up to 10 people. If working groups are over
subscribed, members will be selected by the Steering Committee according to their ability to
contribute in that topic area.
d. Working Groups will make written reports to the Steering Committee on their activities as
requested but will not have to publish minutes of meetings, nor will these meetings be open to the
public. The Steering Committee will consider and approve the reports from the Working Groups and
oversee their activities.
7. Finance
a. All grants and funding will be applied for and held by the Parish Council, who will ring-fence
the funds for Neighbourhood Plan work.
b. The Steering Committee has authority to spend on project matters up to £2,000 within their
approved budget area.
c. Steering Committee members and volunteers from any working groups may claim back any
expenditure incurred during any Neighbourhood Plan related work provided that expenditure is pre
approved by the Steering Group and follows the Steyning P.C. authorised expenditure processes.
8. Conduct
a. A register of all members of the Steering Committee and any Working Groups’ pecuniary
and other relevant interests will be kept and will be held by the SPC Clerk for the duration of the
plan process, and must be updated where necessary. These will be available for inspection by any
resident of the parish on request.
b. Any member of the Steering Committee or Working Groups who has a pecuniary interest in
any agenda item must declare that interest at the beginning of the meeting, and where there is a
pecuniary interest of any prejudicial conflict of interest affecting a member, that member shall
withdraw from the meeting while that agenda item is discussed and shall not participate in any vote
on that matter.
c. Members of the Steering Committee and Working Groups will apply the seven principles of
public life whilst also treating everyone with dignity, courtesy and respect regardless of their age,
gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or religion and belief; And actively promote equality of access
and opportunity.
d. The Chair of any meeting of the Steering Committee or Working Group will enforce these
Terms of Reference, and the SPC Standing Orders. And all members will respect the confidentiality of
commercially sensitive or personal information that they gain as part of their role
9. Changes to the Terms of Reference
This constitution may be amended with an agreed motion of the N. Plan Steering committee and
with the approval of the Parish Council.
Register of Non-Member Resident Representatives Interests:
Paul Cotton – 2025 Register of SPC Neighbourhood Plan Steering Committee – Members Interest Form
Russell Barnes – 2021 Register of SPC Neighbourhood Plan Steering Committee – Members Interest Form
Register of Working Party Members Interests:
Jon Bateman – 2025 Register of SPC Neighbourhood Plan Steering Committee – Members Interest Form