Shipley neighbourhood planning
Southwater and Shipley Neighbourhood Area Designation
Decision
Horsham District Council has designated the Southwater and Shipley Neighbourhood Area following an application submitted by Southwater Parish Council, with the consent of Shipley Parish Council. The designation was approved by the Cabinet Member for Planning and Infrastructure on 9 September 2026.
The designated neighbourhood area covers the entirety of the Southwater and Shipley parish boundaries and replaces the previously designated separate neighbourhood areas for Southwater and Shipley. The Council considers that a neighbourhood area covering both parishes provides a logical and coherent geography for neighbourhood planning and will help address cross-boundary issues, including potential development growth, green infrastructure and transport connectivity. The designation has been made under Section 61G of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and in accordance with the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (as amended).
Consultation
The Council consulted on the neighbourhood area application between 19 June and 7 August 2026. A total of 45 representations were received, comprising 20 supporting comments, 22 objections and 3 observations. All representations were considered as part of the Council’s assessment of the application.
What Happens Next?
The designation of the Southwater and Shipley Neighbourhood Area enables the preparation of a joint neighbourhood plan for the area. Either parish council may formally initiate the neighbourhood planning process, with the consent of the other parish council. The existing Southwater Neighbourhood Plan 2019-2031 and Shipley Neighbourhood Plan 2019-2031 remain in force and continue to form part of the development plan for the district until such time as they may be replaced through a future neighbourhood planning process.
Decision Documents
The following documents are available to view:
Decision Documents
- Southwater and Shipley Joint NP Area Application - Cabinet Member Decision (10.09.26) (PDF File, 157.7 KB)
- Southwater and Shipley Joint NP - Appendix A Consultation Responses (PDF File, 954.8 KB)
- Southwater and Shipley Joint NP - Appendix B Map of the proposed NP Area (PDF File, 632.6 KB)
- Southwater and Shipley Joint NP - Appendix C Application for proposed Joint NP Area Application (PDF File, 766.8 KB)
The Shipley Neighbourhood Plan was formally made on 23 June 2021.