Planning inspector backs 3,000-home Horsham development despite campaigner opposition

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 09:20 · Archive

A Planning Inspector has endorsed Horsham District Council's Local Plan, which allocates 2,500 homes to a development west of Ifield near Crawley.

Following two weeks of hearings, Planning Inspector Jonathan Bore set out his early conclusions on the Horsham District Council Local Plan, which covers 2023-40. He endorsed the allocation of 2,500 homes at West of Ifield, saying the plan 'strikes the right balance'. While acknowledging the development would change the area's character, the Inspector said this must be weighed against delivering much-needed housing and affordable housing alongside community facilities in a highly sustainable location next to Crawley.

A separate planning application for 3,000 homes at the site was submitted by Homes England last year. Campaigners from Save West of Ifield said they were 'very disappointed' by the Inspector's conclusions. Fenella Maitland-Smith said the group was aware that Horsham Council and the Inspector faced pressure to adopt a Local Plan quickly and meet housing targets imposed by central government. She said campaigners had argued against these targets for years, but noted the council remained free to choose where to place homes, even if constrained on total numbers.

How it is being reported

• West of Ifield: Campaigners vow to fight 3,000-home development despite planning boostHorsham District Council’s Local Plan ‘strikes the right balance’ when it comes to the proposed development West of Ifield, the Planning Inspector has said.Sussex Express · 5 Nov, 08:52
• Campaigners vow to keep fighting 3,000 homes plan after inspector backs schemeHorsham District Council's Local Plan "strikes the right balance" when it comes to the proposed development West of Ifield, the Planning Inspector has said.The Argus · 4 Nov, 15:34

In this story: Horsham District Council · Homes England · West of Ifield · Crawley · Jonathan Bore · Save West of Ifield · Fenella Maitland-Smith

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