Hearing Sessions
The Examination Hearings will re-commence on Tuesday 13 October at 10:00am. The Livestream will be accessible via the Council's YouTube Channel.
Hearing days are currently scheduled to take place on the following dates:
- Tuesday 13 October 2026
- Wednesday 14 October 2026
- Thursday 15 October 2026
- Friday 16 October 2026
- Tuesday 20 October 2026
- Wednesday 21 October 2026
- Thursday 22 October 2026 (Inspector’s announcements / reserve day)
- Friday 23 October 2026 (reserve date)
The Hearings will take place in the Council Chamber at: Horsham District Council
RH12 2GB
Please see the Inspectors' Hearing Programme for session timings and a list of participants for each hearing session.
Any updates to the hearing programme will be available on the examination webpages.
Live streaming and recording of hearing sessions
The hearing sessions will be live streamed and recorded.
A link to watch the hearing sessions will be placed in the Latest News and Hearing Sessions webpages.
Arrival at the Venue
Please enter the building via the Springfield Road entrance.
Reception will be open to members of the public from 9.00am.
When you arrive, please sign in at Reception. To help reception staff, please tell them whether you are attending the hearing session as a participant or an observer.
If you are not speaking or otherwise taking part in the hearing session, please identify yourself as an observer.
Observing the hearing sessions in person
A limited amount of seating will be provided for those that wish to observe the hearing sessions in person.
As this seating is limited, remote viewing is encouraged where possible. Support staff for participants should be kept to a minimum. Large parties may not be able to be accommodated.
Observer seating will be allocated on first-come first-served basis. If seating capacity is reached, then any excess observers may need to watch the proceedings remotely.
Only people listed as participants in the hearing programme are allowed to speak during the hearings. Observers are not allowed to speak as part of the hearings.
Do not sit in any reserved seats - these are only for people taking part in the hearing.
If you have any specific needs, please let me the Programme Officer know in advance of the hearings.
Parking, directions and local transport
The hearing venue is located near the Town Centre where there are multiple car parks. Swan Walk is the closest car park. For more information on Town Centre parking, please visit:
https://www.horsham.gov.uk/parking/horsham-town-centre-parking
The hearing venue is located a 5 min walk away from Horsham’s central bus station.
Travelling by bus: https://www.horsham.community/a-map-of-horsham-bus-routes/
Horsham’s train station is located approximately a 15/20 min walk.
Travelling by train: https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/horsham/
Participants and Hot Seating
The Inspector’s guidance notes explain the role of the Inspector and the purpose of the hearings. These notes alongside the Inspector’s Hearing Agenda will help guide the discussion during the sessions.
If you are taking part in the hearings, please check the latest programme to confirm the hearing times. All participants should make sure they are listed as participants for all the sessions they expect to participate in.
If your name is missing, contact the Programme Officer straight away.
Participants are responsible for checking the timetable and being on time.
The Programme Officer will endeavour to inform the participants of any late changes to the timetable, but it is the responsibility of participants to keep themselves up to date with the arrangements and programme.
You must also be ready to attend Reserve sessions listed in the programme. The Inspector will use these if any earlier sessions run out of time.
All participants need nameplates. Please make sure the Programme Officer has the names of your participant so they can prepare your nameplates in advance.
Please tell the Programme Officer the names of your participant.
If you are listed as a participant, a nameplate will be placed at your seat. This is your assigned seat - please do not move it or sit anywhere else.
The Planning Inspectorate has produced a short guide for anyone taking part in a Local Plan Examination for the first time:
Local plans guide to taking part in examinations (opens new window)
Food and Refreshments
No Food and No Hot Drinks are permitted in the Chamber (including in lidded cups), only water.
The hearing venue is situated near the Town centre where there are multiple food outlets.
Accessibility
The hearing venue is wheelchair accessible and has a hearing loop. With disabled toilets provided.
If you have any specific needs, please inform the Programme Officer as soon as possible.
Plug sockets
Please ensure any devices you need during the hearing session are fully charged before you arrive.
Power sockets are available at the hearing venue for participants only.
Wi-Fi
Publicly accessible wi-fi is available at all hearing venues. Please speak to the Programme Officer if you need any assistance in accessing this.
Recordings
Links to view the October Hearing Sessions will appear below.
To view the recording of the April hearing sessions for each hearing day, please follow the links below:
Day 1 (21 April 2026) - Matter 1: The housing requirement
Day 2 (22 April 2026) - Matter 2: Housing supply and headroom