High Court challenge over 800 new homes fails

Plans to build 800 homes in Worthing Road, Horsham, were challenged in court

A legal challenge by a West Sussex council to stop 800 new homes being built near a golf course has been rejected.

Horsham District Council sought a judicial review over plans for the houses, plus a sports and leisure hub near Southwater, after its initial decision to refuse the development was overturned by a planning inspector on appeal.

The High Court has now refused permission for the challenge to proceed to a full hearing, the council said, adding that it was "disappointed" by the decision.

The developer, Generator Group, said it would not be commenting.

Ruth Fletcher, cabinet member for planning and infrastructure at the council, said: "We looked closely at whether it was in the public interest to pursue this further but had to accept the clear message from the court about our prospects of success."

An outline application for the homes was refused in 2024 after Horsham District Council raised concerns over the location for the development being unsustainable.

At the time, the authority received 827 objections to the plans and 78 letters of support.

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