Horsham planning news
Horsham planning news, newest first: applications, appeals and committee decisions, each story linked back to the council file.
Top story
Southwater 23 Homes at The Copse Refused Against Advice
Councillors refused 23 homes behind The Copse, Southwater, on 3 November, against officer advice. They ruled the field is countryside outside the village boundary.
More stories
Council news
Housing
Nine council-backed affordable homes at Dukes Square due by summer 2028
Horsham District Council wants to pick a builder for nine affordable homes on the Dukes Square garage site from five local firms, to finish by summer 2028.
Local Plan
Horsham Local Plan Changes: Have Your Say From 17 November
A last seven-week consultation on Local Plan changes is due to run from 17 November to 5 January. West of Ifield would get one primary school, not two.
Local Plan
West of Ifield: Local Plan Inspector says the plan strikes the right balance, and the golf course goes
The Local Plan Inspector's 30 October letter backs Land West of Ifield, says the golf course would not be retained and raises its homes by 2040 from 1,600 to 2,500.
Planning
Southwater 23 Homes at The Copse Refused by Councillors
Councillors refused 23 homes behind The Copse, Worthing Road, Southwater on 3 November, overruling officers who had advised approval despite three past refusals.
Local Plan
Horsham Local Plan: Inspector's early view is it is sound
The Inspector closed the Local Plan hearings on 22 October saying his preliminary view is the plan is sound. One more short consultation, then his report early in 2027.
Planning
Mowbray Employment Park: County Flood Team Objects to Plan
West Sussex's flood team objects to Mowbray Employment Park's drainage. Council officers want wider hedgerow buffers and a plot for an 80-unit start-up hub.
Water neutrality
Horsham water neutrality: Hardham licence cut now in force
The Environment Agency cut Southern Water's Hardham licence on 9 October, seven months late, to 27 megalitres a day. The last step after water neutrality.
Local Plan
Horsham Local Plan hearings: Inspector's early view, sound
The Local Plan hearings ended on 22 October with the Inspector's preliminary view that the plan is sound. Report early 2027. The day-by-day sessions and sites.
Planning
Horsham planning applications: who decides from 31 October
From 31 October officers decide most Horsham planning applications. Eight objections or a councillor's request will no longer guarantee a committee hearing.
Planning
Pulborough Traveller Site Refused on Train Horn Noise
Six Gypsy and Traveller pitches off Gay Street Lane refused 10 votes to 3, on train horns and vehicle movements. Officers had recommended approval.
Planning
Thakeham Flooding: Bellway Built the Swale, Then Applied
Winter flooding hit Abingworth Meadows, Thakeham. Bellway dug a drainage swale before seeking permission. Councillors decide on 22 September.
Planning
Storrington Traveller Site: Officers Back Four More Pitches
Officers back four more Traveller pitches at Fryern Park Farm, Storrington, taking the site to six despite parish objections. Councillors vote on 22 September.
Community
Shelley statue approved for Horsham Park, £57,000 short
Permission for a 2.45m memorial to the poet was granted on 1 July. The fundraisers have £28,000 of the £85,000 they need, and one body objected to the paving.
Planning
Mowbray Employment Park: 977 jobs, comments by 15 Sept
Legal & General's outline plan for Mowbray, north Horsham: up to 59,416 sqm of workspace, 977 jobs forecast, buildings to 16m. Comments close 15 September.
Planning
Horsham Local Plan: 5,500 more homes, comment by Monday
Comments on the district's revised Local Plan close at 11.59am on Monday 24 August. The Call for Sites for the next plan closes at 5pm on Tuesday.
Housing
Elmfield Green Billingshurst: 83 Homes, Move-In January
Bellway's 83-home Elmfield Green is selling now, showhome in October, first residents from January 2027. Its water neutrality conditions are being dropped.
Planning
Pulborough Traveller site: six pitches decided on Tuesday
Officers recommend approving six Gypsy and Traveller pitches off Gay Street Lane, North Heath, over 28 objections and the parish council. Horsham's Planning Committee decides Tuesday 18 August.
Housing
Broadbridge Heath: all 92 new homes could be affordable
Vistry and Hyde want all 92 homes planned south of Broadbridge Way to be affordable, up from 34. Horsham's Planning Committee decides on 18 August.
Local Plan
Horsham Local Plan Changes: Have Your Say From 17 November
A last seven-week consultation on Local Plan changes is due to run from 17 November to 5 January. West of Ifield would get one primary school, not two.
Local Plan
West of Ifield: Local Plan Inspector says the plan strikes the right balance, and the golf course goes
The Local Plan Inspector's 30 October letter backs Land West of Ifield, says the golf course would not be retained and raises its homes by 2040 from 1,600 to 2,500.
Planning
Southwater 23 Homes at The Copse Refused by Councillors
Councillors refused 23 homes behind The Copse, Worthing Road, Southwater on 3 November, overruling officers who had advised approval despite three past refusals.
Local Plan
Horsham Local Plan: Inspector's early view is it is sound
The Inspector closed the Local Plan hearings on 22 October saying his preliminary view is the plan is sound. One more short consultation, then his report early in 2027.
Planning
Mowbray Employment Park: County Flood Team Objects to Plan
West Sussex's flood team objects to Mowbray Employment Park's drainage. Council officers want wider hedgerow buffers and a plot for an 80-unit start-up hub.
Water neutrality
Horsham water neutrality: Hardham licence cut now in force
The Environment Agency cut Southern Water's Hardham licence on 9 October, seven months late, to 27 megalitres a day. The last step after water neutrality.
Local Plan
Horsham Local Plan hearings: Inspector's early view, sound
The Local Plan hearings ended on 22 October with the Inspector's preliminary view that the plan is sound. Report early 2027. The day-by-day sessions and sites.
Planning
Horsham planning applications: who decides from 31 October
From 31 October officers decide most Horsham planning applications. Eight objections or a councillor's request will no longer guarantee a committee hearing.
Planning
Pulborough Traveller Site Refused on Train Horn Noise
Six Gypsy and Traveller pitches off Gay Street Lane refused 10 votes to 3, on train horns and vehicle movements. Officers had recommended approval.
Planning
Thakeham Flooding: Bellway Built the Swale, Then Applied
Winter flooding hit Abingworth Meadows, Thakeham. Bellway dug a drainage swale before seeking permission. Councillors decide on 22 September.
Planning
Storrington Traveller Site: Officers Back Four More Pitches
Officers back four more Traveller pitches at Fryern Park Farm, Storrington, taking the site to six despite parish objections. Councillors vote on 22 September.
Community
Shelley statue approved for Horsham Park, £57,000 short
Permission for a 2.45m memorial to the poet was granted on 1 July. The fundraisers have £28,000 of the £85,000 they need, and one body objected to the paving.
Planning
Mowbray Employment Park: 977 jobs, comments by 15 Sept
Legal & General's outline plan for Mowbray, north Horsham: up to 59,416 sqm of workspace, 977 jobs forecast, buildings to 16m. Comments close 15 September.
Planning
Horsham Local Plan: 5,500 more homes, comment by Monday
Comments on the district's revised Local Plan close at 11.59am on Monday 24 August. The Call for Sites for the next plan closes at 5pm on Tuesday.
Housing
Elmfield Green Billingshurst: 83 Homes, Move-In January
Bellway's 83-home Elmfield Green is selling now, showhome in October, first residents from January 2027. Its water neutrality conditions are being dropped.
Planning
Pulborough Traveller site: six pitches decided on Tuesday
Officers recommend approving six Gypsy and Traveller pitches off Gay Street Lane, North Heath, over 28 objections and the parish council. Horsham's Planning Committee decides Tuesday 18 August.
Housing
Broadbridge Heath: all 92 new homes could be affordable
Vistry and Hyde want all 92 homes planned south of Broadbridge Way to be affordable, up from 34. Horsham's Planning Committee decides on 18 August.