Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Key Takeaways
- The Horsham Local Plan (2023–2040) was rejected as legally non-compliant after only three days of examination.
- Main failings include a breach of the duty to cooperate and inadequate water-neutrality measures under the Sussex North Offsetting Water Strategy.
- Planning Inspectorate halted all further hearings and urged the council to withdraw the plan.
- The council has lodged formal complaints and demanded renewed scrutiny of the inspection process.
- More than 1,000 new homes and key infrastructure projects now face serious delays.
Table of Contents
Background
In July 2024 Horsham District Council submitted its draft Local Plan, a blueprint intended to guide development, housing allocation and infrastructure funding until 2040. The document sought to balance national planning policy with distinct local needs, drawing on years of consultation and revision.
Officials hoped the plan would ensure sustainable growth, safeguard the environment and provide certainty to residents and developers alike. Instead, the Planning Inspectorate’s interim letter of 4 April 2025 declared the plan “not legally compliant,” pushing the district into unfamiliar territory.
Why the Plan Was Rejected
- Duty to cooperate: Engagement with neighbouring authorities was deemed “not constructive or active.”
- Soundness concerns: Evidence supporting housing numbers and infrastructure delivery was considered weak.
- Water neutrality: The Sussex North Offsetting Water Strategy (SNOWS) failed to show a credible pathway to water neutrality.
The Inspector immediately cancelled all remaining hearings, recommending withdrawal under Section 22 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.
Council Response
Council Leader Councillor Martin Boffey called the findings “very disappointing” and lodged complaints with both the Inspectorate and the Minister for Planning and Housing. At a heated scrutiny committee session, members agreed to “pause, reflect and reboot” the entire process.
“We are committed to overcoming the hurdles identified by the Inspectorate,” a council spokesperson stated.
Impacts on Housing & Environment
With no adopted plan, Horsham risks speculative development bids and a loss of control over site selection. More than 1,000 new homes—some already in the pipeline—could be delayed, renegotiated or scrapped.
- Housing trajectory: Delivery targets for affordable and market housing now hang in the balance.
- Environmental safeguards: Water-neutrality rules remain unresolved, threatening both river health and legal compliance.
- Infrastructure funding: Road upgrades and school places tied to planned growth may face serious funding gaps.
What Happens Next?
The Inspector’s advice is clear: withdraw, rewrite and resubmit. Yet councillors warn that ongoing local government reorganisation, staffing shortages and fresh evidence requirements could push any new plan well beyond 2026.
Potential actions include:
- Immediate withdrawal of the current draft to avoid further procedural costs.
- Commissioning independent studies on water supply and cross-boundary cooperation.
- Launching a new round of public consultation to rebuild community confidence.
FAQs
Why was water neutrality such a big issue?
The region’s aquifers are already under pressure; without a proven offsetting strategy, any additional abstraction risks breaching environmental regulations.
Can the council appeal the Inspector’s decision?
No—local plan examinations are not appealable. The council may challenge on points of law, but such actions are costly and rarely succeed.
What happens to planning applications in the meantime?
Applications will be judged against the national planning policy framework and any saved local policies, leaving decision-makers with less certainty.
How long could a new plan take?
Best-case estimates suggest two years, but major evidence gaps and staff turnover could extend that timeline.
Where can residents find updates?
The council has pledged to post regular bulletins on its website and via social media once a revised timetable is confirmed.