Major Changes Coming to How Planning Applications are Decided
Major changes to how planning applications are decided in Horsham District are on the way – and they form part of a much wider shift in the district’s planning system.
Why the planning system is changing
Horsham District Council’s Governance Committee has recommended significant updates to how planning applications are handled. These changes are required because the government’s National Scheme of Delegation becomes mandatory on 31 October 2026. If the council does not adopt the scheme, it risks legal challenge.
The government says the scheme aims to bring “greater clarity, consistency, and certainty” to planning decision‑making.
Key changes to Horsham’s planning process
- Planning Committee reduced from 15 to 13 councillors
- This is intended to streamline decision‑making.
- Removal of the ‘call‑in’ system
- Councillors will no longer be able to request that an application automatically goes to committee. However, councillors can still request committee consideration for eligible applications if they can demonstrate significant local or planning issues.
- New two‑tier system for planning applications
Under the National Scheme of Delegation, every application will pass through three gateway tests to determine whether it falls into:
Schedule 1 – must be decided by officers
Includes:
- Minor commercial applications
- Householder developments
- Reserved matters
- Prior approvals
- Discharge of conditions
Schedule 2 – may be decided by committee
Includes:
- Large outline applications
- Tree Preservation Orders
- Listed building consent
- Applications where the council or a councillor has an interest
This means far fewer applications will reach committee than before.
Constitutional review: what else is changing?
These planning changes sit within a broader update to Horsham District Council’s Constitution, adopted in April 2025. A post‑implementation review found:
- Scrutiny arrangements are working effectively
- But improvements are needed in:
- Councillor training
- Internal protocols
- Early member involvement in policy development
Additional relevant information from Horsham District Council
To give Pulborough residents the full picture, here are the most relevant connected developments currently underway at Horsham District Council.
- Major reforms to the Local Plan (2023–2040)
Horsham District Council is in the middle of a significant overhaul of its Local Plan. The Planning Inspector has required:
- Higher housing numbers due to changes in national policy and the end of water neutrality constraints.
- Additional housing allocations, including one new strategic site and several smaller sites.
- Modifications to development management policies to align with the updated National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
A public consultation on the Main Modifications ran from 13 July to 24 August 2026.
This context matters: the new delegation scheme will operate alongside a Local Plan that is being reshaped to accommodate higher housing targets, meaning more applications may be officer‑determined.
- Local Plan Examination: Inspector’s findings
The Planning Inspector has stated that the submitted Local Plan did not fully meet identified housing needs under the 2023 NPPF. He required the council to:
- Identify additional sites
- Update several policies
- Demonstrate legal compliance and soundness
This reinforces why Horsham District Council is tightening its planning processes and governance structures.
- Horsham District 2045 – a new long‑term plan
Alongside the 2023–2040 plan, the council has begun preparing Horsham District 2045, a new Local Plan looking further ahead. Key points:
- Scoping consultation ran from 30 June to 28 July 2026
- A “Call for Sites” ran until 25 August 2026
- The plan will take 30 months to prepare
- Final adoption may fall to a future West Sussex unitary authority
This demonstrates that Horsham’s planning system is undergoing long‑term structural change, not just short‑term adjustments.
What this means for Pulborough
For residents, businesses, and the parish council:
- ✔ More decisions will be made by officers
Expect fewer applications to reach committee, especially householder and small commercial proposals.
- ✔ Understanding the gateway tests will be essential
Parish councils will need to tailor their responses to highlight significant planning issues if they believe an application warrants committee scrutiny.
- ✔ Local Plan changes will influence development patterns
Higher housing targets and new site allocations may affect Pulborough and surrounding villages.
- ✔ Early engagement matters
The council’s own review stresses the need for councillors (and by extension parish councils) to be involved early in policy development.
For more information, visit Horsham District Council