Pulborough families waiting for a secure, affordable home are set to benefit from a major decision to save five long‑term empty properties across the District — including one here in Pulborough.

Horsham District Council has approved plans to renovate and retrofit five three‑bedroom homes in Ashurst, Billingshurst and Pulborough, returning them to social rent. For Pulborough, where family‑sized social housing is scarce and demand remains high, the move represents a meaningful boost to local housing availability.

The Pulborough property, like the others, requires significant repairs and energy‑efficiency upgrades before a family can move in. Once completed, the homes will be allocated to households on the Council’s Housing Register, with nomination rights retained so they continue to serve local families long into the future.

Cllr Belinda Walters, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, emphasised the importance of bringing these homes back into use: “These homes have been empty for a while and bringing them back into use would give five local families the chance to settle into a safe and secure home. Three‑bedroom homes for social rent are in short supply, so saving these properties would make a real difference to families waiting for a home that meets their needs.”

For Pulborough, where rising private rents and limited family‑sized social housing often force residents to move away from the village, the decision helps preserve local community stability. It means one more family can stay rooted in the place they call home — close to schools, support networks, and the wider Pulborough community.

Saxon Weald Chief Executive, Corinna Bishopp, highlighted the value of partnership working: “We are grateful to Horsham District Council for its commitment to preserving much‑needed affordable homes in the Horsham District. By working in partnership, we can bring these homes back into use, providing a safe and secure place to live for five households who might otherwise struggle to find suitable local housing.”

The Council will now support Saxon Weald in carrying out the renovation and retrofit works. Without Section 106 funding to cover the costs, the homes would have been sold on the open market — permanently removing five family‑sized social rented homes from the District’s supply, including one in Pulborough.

For local families, this decision means something simple but powerful: the chance to stay in Pulborough, build their future here, and remain part of the community they know.