Formal Complaint Submitted to the Planning Inspectorate

Southwater Parish Council (SPC) submitted a formal complaint to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) on 3^rd October 2025 regarding the Inspector’s decision to uphold the appeal for up to 800 dwellings at Horsham Golf & Fitness.

Residents will recall that we published an update on 29 August 2025 setting out our position following the appeal decision, which can be read here: Southwater Parish Council Update – Horsham Golf Club Appeal.

Our complaint focuses on the fact that the Inspector re-examined whether the “made” Neighbourhood Plan (approved by referendum in 2021) had allocated enough housing using today’s figures and methodologies (Current National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)). This was not within their remit: the Plan had already been properly examined and adopted under the requirements of the time. By taking this approach, the Inspector wrongly concluded that the Plan was “out of date”, something that risks undermining the confidence both the public and Parish/Town Councils placed in the process and setting a damaging precedent for neighbourhood plans everywhere.

In the complaint, SPC has asked PINS to:

• Acknowledge that this treatment of the Neighbourhood Plan went beyond the Inspector’s remit and was not required by national policy or law;

• Recognise the impact this has had on public confidence and the precedent it creates; and

• Confirm that Inspectors will not re-assess made neighbourhood plans against later housing figures in future.

You can read the full text of SPC’s complaint here: Download Complaint Letter (PDF).

SPC will continue to keep residents updated via its Planning Committee and website as we await a formal response from the Planning Inspectorate and as Horsham District Council’s Judicial Review progresses.