Horsham District Council is formally starting work on a new-style Local Plan for the District in line with the government’s new national plan-making requirements and would like to hear your feedback.
The new-style Local Plan will be called Horsham District 2045.
The government introduced significant reforms to the national planning system which came into force in March 2026 with the aim of simplifying and speeding up future plan preparation. This new planning system dictates that Horsham District Council - along with some 38 other local authorities in England - is required to start work on a new-style plan immediately.
The first stage of making this new-style plan is a scoping consultation. This early engagement is a chance for residents, businesses and stakeholders to have their say on what they think should be included in the Horsham District 2045 Plan and how they wish to be involved in the new plan’s development in the future.
This consultation is open from 30 June and will close on 28 July.
Please visit the Council website to complete the scoping consultation.
Commenting on the new-style planning system, Horsham District Council Cabinet Member for Planning and Infrastructure Cllr Ruth Fletcher said: “The government has set very tight timescales for the development of new-style plans under its planning reforms. This means that we are having to hold separate consultations for two local plans at the same time.
"The Horsham District Local Plan 2023-2040 continues to make good progress towards adoption early next year and we are holding the main modifications consultation over the summer.
Meanwhile, this scoping consultation for the Horsham District 2045 plan is an opportunity to look further ahead and help set the overall direction of the next plan.
“Please do take part to let us know your views on what this new-style plan should include and how you would like to be involved as it is developed.
“Our consultation web pages will direct you to the appropriate consultation.”