URL: https://horsham.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=854

Decision Maker: Cabinet Member for Planning and Infrastructure

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: To agree the commencement of the preparation of a new-style Local Plan (“Horsham District 2045”) in accordance with the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended by the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023) and the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026;   To approve the “local plan timetable” and accompanying statement (Appendix A) and to authorise that these be published and made available for inspection;    To delegate authority to the Head of Strategic Planning, in consultation with the Director of Place and the Cabinet Member for Planning and Infrastructure as necessary, to update, publish and make available for inspection the local plan timetable and accompanying statement as required;   To approve the "notice of intention to commence local plan preparation” (Appendix B) and to authorise that it be published and made available for inspection;   To agree the content (Appendix B) and commencement of a scoping consultation to take place between 30 June 2026 and 28 July 2026;   To agree a call for sites, to take place between 30 June 2026 and 25 August 2026   To approve the “notice of scoping consultation” (Appendix C) and to authorise that it be published and made available for inspection;   To delegate authority to the Director of Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Infrastructure, to prepare, approve, publish and make available for inspection (i) a “self-assessment summary” and (ii) a “summary of scoping consultation”; and      ix.        To delegate authority to the Head of Strategic Planning, in consultation with the Director of Place and the Cabinet Member for Planning and Infrastructure as necessary, to take such further steps as may be required to give effect to and progress the preparation of Horsham District 2045.  

Content: To agree the commencement of the preparation of a new-style Local Plan (“Horsham District 2045”) in accordance with the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended by the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023) and the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026;   To approve the “local plan timetable” and accompanying statement (Appendix A) and to authorise that these be published and made available for inspection;    To delegate authority to the Head of Strategic Planning, in consultation with the Director of Place and the Cabinet Member for Planning and Infrastructure as necessary, to update, publish and make available for inspection the local plan timetable and accompanying statement as required;   To approve the "notice of intention to commence local plan preparation” (Appendix B) and to authorise that it be published and made available for inspection;   To agree the content (Appendix B) and commencement of a scoping consultation to take place between 30 June 2026 and 28 July 2026;   To agree a call for sites, to take place between 30 June 2026 and 25 August 2026   To approve the “notice of scoping consultation” (Appendix C) and to authorise that it be published and made available for inspection;   To delegate authority to the Director of Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Infrastructure, to prepare, approve, publish and make available for inspection (i) a “self-assessment summary” and (ii) a “summary of scoping consultation”; and      ix.        To delegate authority to the Head of Strategic Planning, in consultation with the Director of Place and the Cabinet Member for Planning and Infrastructure as necessary, to take such further steps as may be required to give effect to and progress the preparation of Horsham District 2045.   It is a legal requirement to commence work on a local plan under the new plan-making system by the 30 June 2026.   Local Planning Authorities are under a legal duty to prepare and maintain a timetable setting out the timeline for the preparation of planning documents and passing through gateways. For HDC this deadline is 30 June 2026.   Under new regulations, it is a requirement to update the timetable at least monthly. Delegation is necessary to ensure this can be met in a timely manner.   Under new regulations, it is a requirement to hold an initial scoping consultation prior to commencement of plan-making.   Under new regulations, it is a requirement to publish the self-assessment summary to proceed through Gateway 1 of the new planning system and to publish the summary of scoping consultation detailing feedback received.   The alternative course of action would be to not begin work on a plan under the new plan-making system. However, this has been rejected as it would result in a breach of regulations and may result in the Secretary of State intervening to begin plan preparation.   None

Date of Decision: June 11, 2026