Court challenge over 800 homes near golf club

Plans to build 800 homes in Worthing Road, Horsham, will be challenged in court, the district council says

A West Sussex council says it will challenge plans to build 800 homes near a golf course in the courts after attempts to block the project were overturned on review.

Horsham District Council initiated a judicial review against the plan for homes in Worthing Road after its initial decision to refuse the development was overturned by a planning inspector on appeal.

The decision for homes near Horsham Golf and Fitness will be contested on the basis of "significant legal errors" in the appeals process, the council said.

A Planning Inspectorate spokesperson said it was "not in a position to comment further" as examinations are still live.

Ruth Fletcher, Horsham's cabinet member for planning, said: "We are deeply disappointed by the outcome of this appeal.

"It is vital for public confidence in the planning system that such matters are scrutinised by the Courts. We welcome the support of Active Travel England in pursuing this challenge."

Plans to build the homes between Southwater and Horsham were refused in 2024 after the council raised concerns over the location for the development being unsustainable.

At the time, the council received 827 objections to the plans and 78 letter of support.

A petition from the Keep Denne Hill Green community group attracted more than 3,500 signatures online.

In challenging the decision, the council said that national planning policies were "misapplied", while claiming the planning inspector incorrectly ruled that the Southwater Neighbourhood Plan, which guides development in the area, was "out of date".