Following Horsham District Council’s request to re-open the examination of its 2023-2040 Local Plan, it can now announce that the examination hearings will start on Tuesday 21 April.
Hearing days are currently scheduled to take place on the following dates:
- Tuesday 21 April
- Wednesday 22 April
- Thursday 23 April, with Friday 24 April in reserve if needed.
This follows the Government’s newly appointed Planning Inspector, Jonathan Bore’s confirmation that he will approach the examination afresh and in two stages:
- The first stage in April will focus on housing requirements with examination hearings on this issue in April 2026. The outcomes from these hearings will guide subsequent site selection decisions.
- Stage Two will take place in September 2026 and will consider the Council’s overall strategic approach, including the identification of specific development sites within the Plan.
The hearings will take place in the Council Chamber: Horsham District Council, Albery House, Springfield Road, Horsham, RH12 2GB. Sessions will normally begin at 10am subject to final scheduling. The hearing programme and further details about the conduct of the hearing sessions will be placed on the Council’s website once they become available.
Commenting on this update, Horsham District Council Cabinet Member for Planning and Infrastructure Cllr Ruth Fletcher said:
A robust Local Plan is vital to ensuring we can meet housing needs through good development in sustainable locations and deliver the infrastructure required to support our growing communities.”