Horsham District has moved a step closer to securing an up-to-date Local Plan that will help deliver the homes, jobs and infrastructure local communities need, following the conclusion of the examination hearings on 22 October 2026.
Led by the Government’s independent Planning Inspector, Jonathan Bore, the hearings have examined the Council's proposed strategy and site allocations, including the evidence supporting them and comments received through public consultation.
The hearings have involved several stages of consultation, giving residents, parish councils, local groups, developers and other interested parties opportunities to put forward their views. The latest examination hearings followed an earlier stage of the examination in April and a six-week public consultation on proposed Main Modifications during the summer.
These modifications included changes to the number of homes being planned in the district and updates to a range of planning policies, as requested by the Inspector. Comments received during the consultation were submitted to the independent Inspector as part of the examination process.
As the Inspector had already considered most matters through written evidence or at the earlier hearings, the latest sessions focused on the proposed strategic sites and some additional sites that have been included to meet the requirement to plan for more homes.
In closing the hearings, the Inspector indicated that his preliminary conclusion is that the plan is sound, in terms of the proposed housing numbers, levels of affordable housing, and development management policies together with the distribution of growth across the District. In terms of next steps, a further technical consultation will be held shortly on a small number of amended or additional ‘main modifications’ to the plan.
Following the consultation, the Inspector will prepare his final report that will set out the changes necessary to ensure the plan is legally compliant and sound. The Inspector stated that he expects this to be with the Council early in the New Year. Following receipt of the plan, this will enable the Council to formally adopt the Plan.
Cllr Ruth Fletcher, Cabinet Member for Planning and Infrastructure at Horsham District Council, said:
“Following the successful conclusion of these hearings, I am now confident that Horsham District Council is on the way to adopting a new Local Plan early next year.
“Delivering a Local Plan is an increasingly difficult process due to the high housing targets that are imposed on us, but it remains our top priority to return to plan-led development.
"Having an up-to-date plan is the only way to protect our communities from haphazard and inappropriate development and to plan properly for homes, infrastructure, employment and environmental protection.
“I have been impressed by the Inspector’s detailed and efficient approach, and by the way he has listened to and taken account of points made by residents and community groups. This will help make our plan more robust and effective.
“I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the process, helping make this a better plan. We look forward to continuing to work with our local community as detailed plans for specific sites and new supporting facilities are developed.”
Find out more about the examination and Horsham District Local Plan at https://www.horsham.gov.uk/planning/local-plan