Inspiring greener futures - Annual Plan 2025-2026
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.
- Deliver a Local Plan which sets higher environmental standards including net zero building, green gaps and addressing water neutrality.
- Show the way to net zero through engagement with our community and our emerging Climate Action Strategy.
- Create nature diverse places for people to live in.
- Investigate the benefits and opportunities of Biodiversity Net Gain and carbon credits for Horsham District Council and landowners in the District.
- Help businesses and residents to waste less and recycle more.
- Create safer routes for cycling and walking.
- Help residents and businesses to cut carbon emissions and water usage.
- Assist residents and businesses with the insulation of homes and premises.
- Support residents and businesses in switching to green technologies.
Annual Plan 2025-2026
- 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.
In Progress
Work on the Local Plan is on-going. For the most up to date information, visit our Local Plan pages.
- Adopt the Horsham District Local Plan subject to successful outcome from the Local Plan Examination.
- 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.
Action completed
- Remove gas boilers from Park House, Horsham and replace with more energy efficient options.
In Progress
Works to make the building more energy efficient have taken place, alternatives to the gas boilers are being considered further in 2026/27
- Remove gas boilers from Park Street accommodation, Horsham and replace with more energy efficient options.
In Progress
Roof insulation work is now complete and improved ventilation within each flat is underway. Gas boilers are planned for removal in 2026 to be replaced by a central air source heat pump system.
- Complete the energy efficiency and decarbonisation project for Fiennes Court, Horsham.
In Progress
The building has been surveyed by both a fire consultant in relation to the compartmentation and by a building surveying consultant to look at options to reduce the carbon.
The building surveyor and M&E consultant have prepared a specification for the works which are currently being priced.
- Undertake a condition survey of Council owned leisure centres, including understanding current energy efficiency/decarbonisation measures.
Action completed
- Undertake an assessment of Council owned buildings for the installation of solar panels.
In Progress
Consultants have provided a design proposal for six operational buildings; however, a structural survey will be required prior to carrying out any installation.
- Launch a campaign in partnership with existing community groups to support residents wanting to act on climate change and prepare for extreme weather events.
- Create nature diverse places for people to live in.
- Introduce new countryside management on Highwood Hill to encourage a broader range of species.
In Progress
Fencing to create grazing paddocks was delayed in 2025/26. This is now complete and can grazing begin later in 2026/27.
- Introduce new countryside management on Highwood Hill to encourage a broader range of species.
- 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.
In Progress
There was a key change within the Sustainability and Greenspaces Team during 2025/26 which meant that the planned work on assessing offsetting options could not be undertaken. Officer resource is in place for that work to happen during 2026/27.
- Appraise options on how the Council can offset its remaining carbon emissions.
- Help businesses and residents to waste less and recycle more.
- Roll out the commercial food waste service enabling businesses to recycle more.
Action completed
- Implement the residential food waste collection service.
Action completed
- Roll out the commercial food waste service enabling businesses to recycle more.
- Create safer routes for cycling and walking.
- Start implementation of plans to improve non-motorised access for people in the Bishopric.
In Progress
Design changes have been made following original consultation.
The Communities and Place Policy and Scrutiny Committee will be consulted further to finalise the detailed designs.
- Provide support to local communities who wish to prepare a local walking and cycling strategy together with a seed fund to support their implementation.
In Progress
Support has been given to the Steyning & District Community Partnership, who are the first Partnership in the district to develop a local walking and cycling strategy. A new Active Travel Coordinator started in June 2026 and will lead this work going forward.
- Include non-motorised access in the Better Billingshurst development work.
Action completed
- Start implementation of plans to improve non-motorised access for people in the Bishopric.
- 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.
Action completed
- Facilitate a range of training to meet the needs of local businesses including a focus on green business principles.
Action completed
- Provide direct support to businesses to become more carbon efficient through a dedicated grants scheme.
Action completed
- 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.
Action completed
- Lobby for Government to allow water flow reduction devices alongside Southern Water’s smart meter introduction.
- 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.
Action completed
- 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.
- Support residents and businesses in switching to green technologies.
- There are no new actions under this theme for 2025/26.
Action completed
- There are no new actions under this theme for 2025/26.