Residents may have heard that the Pulborough Neighbourhood Plan has now been formally "made", but what exactly does that mean and why is it important?

A neighbourhood plan is a community-led planning document that sets out a shared vision for how an area should develop. Created through consultation with local residents, businesses and organisations, it helps shape decisions on housing, employment, community facilities, green spaces and the appearance of future development.

A Significant Achievement

For Pulborough, this is a significant milestone. After years of evidence gathering, consultation, independent examination and a public referendum, the plan has become part of the statutory development plan used to determine planning applications in the parish. The plan was formally made by Horsham District Council on 8 October 2025 following a successful referendum.

Why Does It Matter?

A made neighbourhood plan carries legal weight. Planning applications in Pulborough must now be assessed not only against national planning policy and district planning policies, but also against the policies contained within the neighbourhood plan.

The plan gives the community a stronger voice by:

• Setting out a long-term vision for Pulborough's future.
• Guiding where development should take place.
• Protecting valued green spaces and community assets.
• Influencing the design and character of new development.
• Supporting appropriate housing, employment and community facilities.

Importantly, a neighbourhood plan is not designed to stop development altogether. Instead, it helps ensure that growth is managed in a way that reflects local priorities and protects the qualities residents value most about the parish.

A Community-Led Achievement

Neighbourhood plans are created by local communities rather than developers or central government. The Pulborough plan reflects years of work by parish councillors, volunteers, residents and specialist advisers, supported by extensive public consultation. Its adoption means that local views gathered throughout that process now have a formal role in shaping planning decisions.

Where Can Residents Read the Plan?

Residents can view or download the full Pulborough Neighbourhood Plan from both the Parish Council and Horsham District Council websites:

Pulborough Parish Council: Pulborough Neighbourhood Plan

Horsham District Council: Pulborough Neighbourhood Planning

Printed copies can also be viewed by appointment through the Parish Council office or at Horsham District Council offices.

Looking Ahead

The making of the neighbourhood plan does not mark the end of the conversation about Pulborough's future. Rather, it provides a framework through which future planning proposals can be assessed and influenced. As new applications come forward, the policies within the plan will help ensure that development reflects the community's vision for a thriving, sustainable and distinctive Pulborough.

For residents, it represents something important: a locally written plan, supported through a public vote, that now helps guide the future of the parish.