Horsham District Local Plan
April 2025
The Inspector has reached a conclusion that the Council has not met a legal test known as the ‘Duty to Co-operate’. On this basis he is recommending that the Council withdraw the plan from further examination and commence the preparation of a new plan.
Statement from HDC:
We are still considering our next steps. However, it goes without saying that this is extremely disappointing news for the Council and the District as a whole. Alongside the Inspector’s letter, the Council has published a response which sets out why we do not agree with the Inspector’s decision, and also outlines a number of concerns with the way in which the Local Plan examination has been conducted. The Inspector’s letter and our response are attached. These documents will also be made available shortly on the Council's website. They will be uploaded under the ‘Post submission documents’ tab. The Inspector’s letter reference is ID08 and the HDC initial response reference is HDC00.
We recognise that you are likely to have a number of questions about the implications of the Inspector’s conclusions. At this stage, work is still ongoing to fully understand the implications and next steps for planning in the District, including in relation to Neighbourhood Plans. We will ensure that Parish and Neighbourhood Councils are kept informed as this thinking develops and intend to arrange a briefing to discuss in the coming weeks.
Officers are drafting responses to FAQs which we will publish on the Local Plan website in the next few days.
December 2024
Horsham District Local Plan Inspector cancels the Local Plan Examination Hearings. A Parish & Neighbourhood Council briefing on Tuesday 28 January 2025. The meeting will help provide clarification on the Council’s position, any update from the Inspector at that point and provide an opportunity to answer questions.
August 2024
Please find below the link to the HDC Local Plan Reg 19 Summary of Representations:
January 2024
Please see below for further information and note the deadline for responses is 5pm on Friday 1st March 2024
Draft Horsham District Local Plan is available here
To make comments on the Plan, download the form here
Letter from APC Chair, Susie Fischel, is available here
The Horsham District Local Plan is available here
To make comments on the Plan, download the form here
A recent letter sent to Ashurst residents can be viewed here