Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Key Takeaways
- *Duty to cooperate* failures and water-neutrality concerns prompted the Planning Inspectorate to reject Horsham’s draft local plan.
- The council is reopening consultation under Regulation 19 to address the shortcomings.
- Housing supply, environmental safeguards and **regional collaboration** remain central to the revised strategy.
- Delays could ripple across the South-East’s broader housing targets.
- Council leader Martin Boffey calls the rejection “hugely disappointing.”
Table of Contents
Background
The Horsham District Local Plan—intended to guide growth from 2023 to 2040—stalled when the Planning Inspectorate ruled that the council had not fulfilled its *duty to cooperate* with neighbouring authorities and that the Sussex North Offsetting Water Strategy (SNOWS) lacked robustness. In response, the council invoked Regulation 19, relaunching the statutory consultation phase.
Residents can explore the full draft on the Horsham District Council Local Plan portal.
Strategic Development Framework
The draft outlines three overarching objectives:
- Housing supply: increasing affordable and market-rate homes.
- Economic expansion: fostering job creation and new enterprise zones.
- Environmental stewardship: conserving green spaces and aligning with national carbon goals.
*Neighbourhood plans* and detailed masterplans ensure that grassroots priorities mesh with district-wide ambitions.
Community Infrastructure Levy
The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) channels developer contributions into upgraded transport links, school places, health facilities and green infrastructure. Annual reviews guarantee that funds track population growth and changing community needs.
Policy Modifications
To convert rejection into approval, planners propose:
- Legally binding cooperation statements with adjacent councils.
- Mandatory water-neutrality assessments for major schemes.
- Clearer spatial objectives for mixed-use centre regeneration.
These tweaks will face public scrutiny at renewed hearings later this year.
Implications & Quotes
Council leader Martin Boffey remarked, “The inspector’s recommendation is hugely disappointing, especially given the immense effort and resources our team has invested in developing this plan.” Local business groups praise the push for quicker adoption, while environmental charities warn against diluting safeguards in haste.
Regionally, uncertainty could hamper neighbouring districts that rely on Horsham to absorb part of the South-East’s unmet housing need.
Potential Outcomes & Next Steps
Possible scenarios include:
- Successful revision—plan deemed sound, unlocking strategic sites by mid-2026.
- Further delay—additional inquiries push adoption to 2027 or beyond.
- Comprehensive rewrite—evidence base refreshed, extending timelines into the next decade.
The council will publish an updated timetable once consultation feedback is analysed this autumn.
FAQ
Why was the Horsham Local Plan rejected?
The Planning Inspectorate found legal failures in cooperation with neighbouring authorities and insufficient evidence behind the district’s water-neutrality strategy.
What is Regulation 19?
Regulation 19 is the formal public consultation stage where a local plan is presented for comment before examination, giving stakeholders a final chance to influence the document.
Does rejection halt all development?
No. Existing neighbourhood plans and saved policies remain operative, though large strategic sites may be delayed until a new plan is adopted.
How can residents contribute feedback?
They can submit online comments during the Regulation 19 window or attend scheduled public hearings once dates are announced.
When might the revised plan be adopted?
If modifications satisfy inspectors, adoption could occur in late 2026; however, further challenges could postpone the timeline.