Update on Horsham Golf Club Appeal Complaint

veronikatoth7
57 minutes ago
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Southwater Parish Council wishes to update residents on the outcome of our recent formal complaint to the Planning Inspectorate, regarding the appeal decision that granted outline permission for up to 800 dwellings at Horsham Golf Club (Ref: APP/Z3825/W/24/3355546).

Golf ball near hole on green grass. Text: "SPC received response from Planning Inspectorate re Horsham Golf appeal decision." Appeal ref: APP/Z3825/W/24/3355546.

Background

On 3 October 2025, the Parish Council submitted a formal complaint to the Planning Inspectorate about the Horsham Golf Club Appeal Decision, expressing deep concern over what it viewed as a serious procedural and legal error in the Inspector’s handling of the appeal decision.

The complaint focused on how the Inspector had treated the Southwater Neighbourhood Plan (made in 2021), stating that the Inspector “acted unreasonably by considering whether the Southwater Neighbourhood Plan (2021) had allocated its full housing requirement ‘when made’” also pointed out that this issue “was resolved through due and proper process at the point of examination and adoption, and it is not open to an Inspector to revisit it by applying current housing methodologies to a plan prepared under the requirements of the time.”

The Parish Council argued that revisiting this issue “sets a dangerous precedent” and “undermines the stability and certainty” that neighbourhood plans are intended to provide. The Council further stated that the decision “has eroded confidence in the value of neighbourhood planning and risks causing long-term disengagement from the planning system”.

Planning Inspectorate Response

The Planning Inspectorate responded to the complaint on 4 November 2025. In the reply it acknowledged “the Parish Council’s depth of concern regarding the appeal decision” and recognised “the considerable disappointment for local objectors”.

However, the response confirmed that the Inspectorate could not revisit the decision, stating that the decision letter “constitutes a legal document that must ‘speak for itself’ and consequently it is not possible for us to, in effect, re-open matters that the decision maker was appointed to determine.”

The Inspectorate also explained that Inspectors are appointed by the Secretary of State to make independent planning judgments and that “the Courts have consistently recognised that judgments in planning decisions, and the weight accorded to evidence, are within the exclusive jurisdiction of the decision-maker.”

It was further emphasized that each planning application and any subsequent appeal are considered on their own individual merits and circumstances, and noted that previous decisions do not set a precedent, as proposals often differ in material respects, meaning the balance of planning considerations may vary from case to case.

The response also confirmed that Horsham District Council’s legal challenge to the decision “was refused on the papers and did not proceed to a substantive hearing.”

Regarding the Southwater Neighbourhood Plan, the Inspectorate stated that the Inspector had considered the Plan and National Planning Policy Framework paragraph 14 “as may be seen at paragraphs 58 to 63 of the decision letter.” It noted that “it was the Inspector’s judgment that any conflict with these policies was substantially outweighed by other considerations”.

While the Planning Inspectorate has not upheld the complaint, the Parish Council remains committed to transparency and to representing the concerns of local residents.

We may continue to seek clarity on how neighbourhood plans can be robustly protected in the national planning process and will update residents on any future developments.