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Inspiring greener futures

A fresh vision for Horsham District

Inspiring greener futures

We aim to be a net zero council by 2030 and a net zero district by 2050. Horsham District will be held in high regard for best practice in rewilding, regenerative farming and recycling.

Council Plan Priorities 2023-2027

Click on each priority to see specific actions, goals and targets in our Annual Plan for 2025-2026 below.

Annual Plan 2025-2026

  1. Deliver a Local Plan which sets higher environmental standards including net zero building, green gaps and addressing water neutrality.
    • Adopt the Horsham District Local Plan subject to successful outcome from the Local Plan Examination.
  2. Show the way to Net Zero through the actions the Council is taking to reduce its emissions, engaging with our community and our Climate Action Strategy.
    • Launch a campaign in partnership with existing community groups to support residents wanting to act on climate change and prepare for extreme weather events.
    • Remove gas boilers from Park House, Horsham and replace with more energy efficient options.
    • Remove gas boilers from Park Street accommodation, Horsham and replace with more energy efficient options.
    • Complete the energy efficiency and decarbonisation project for Fiennes Court, Horsham.
    • Undertake a condition survey of Council owned leisure centres, including understanding current energy efficiency/decarbonisation measures.
    • Undertake an assessment of Council owned buildings for the installation of solar panels.
  3. Create nature diverse places for people to live in.
    • Introduce new countryside management on Highwood Hill to encourage a broader range of species.
  4. Investigate the benefits and opportunities of Biodiversity Net Gain and carbon credits for Horsham District Council and landowners in the District.
    • Appraise options on how the Council can offset its remaining carbon emissions.
  5. Help businesses and residents to waste less and recycle more.
    • Roll out the commercial food waste service enabling businesses to recycle more.
    • Implement the residential food waste collection service.
  6. Create safer routes for cycling and walking.
    • Start implementation of plans to improve non-motorised access for people in the Bishopric.
    • Provide support to local communities who wish to prepare a local walking and cycling strategy together with a seed fund to support their implementation.
    • Include non-motorised access in the Better Billingshurst development work.
  7. Help residents and businesses to cut carbon emissions and water usage.
    • Lobby for Government to allow water flow reduction devices alongside Southern Water’s smart meter introduction.
    • Facilitate a range of training to meet the needs of local businesses including a focus on green business principles.
    • Provide direct support to businesses to become more carbon efficient through a dedicated grants scheme.
    • Undertake a feasibility study to establish whether there is a viable business case for the development of a new state of the art Enterprising Horsham Green Innovation Hub, which would provide premises for the start-up of green and environmental based businesses.
  8. Assist residents and businesses with the insulation of homes and premises.
    • Launch an initiative that works with partners to inform households how they can make their homes warmer and reduce energy use, based on an analysis of the existing housing stock.
  9. Support residents and businesses in switching to green technologies.
    • There are no new actions under this theme for 2025/26.