Hearing Sessions

Hearing Session Agendas

Recordings

To view the recoding of the hearing sessions for each hearing day, please follow the links below:

• Day 1 (10 December) - Matter 1 Issue 1 and Issue 2 - Legal and Procedural Requirements
• Day 2 (11 December) - Matter 2 Issue 1, 2, 3 and 4 - Plan Period, Vision, Objectives and the Spatial Strategy
• Day 3 (12 December) - Matter 3 Issue 1 and Issue 2 - Climate Change and Water

Hearing information

The hearing sessions will be held in the Main Conference Room at:

Observing the hearings

Seating will be available for observers in the public gallery during the hearing sessions, however, due to room size and availability the Council are unable to accommodate large numbers of observers to the hearings so kindly request that observers attend the hearings only if necessary. The majority of seats will be allocated to participants and hot seating which will leave a more limited number of seats in the public gallery.

Observer seating will be allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis. For Health and Safety purposes the council will not allow observers to remain in the Main Conference room if there are no seats available and will kindly ask observers who do not have a seat to watch the sessions remotely. Observers and larger contingents are strongly encouraged to follow the proceedings remotely. Details of how to watch the sessions will be confirmed shortly.

Please note that only individuals listed in the programme as participants may take part in the debate, and speaking from the public gallery is not permitted. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

If you wish to observe the sessions, please refrain from sitting in any reserved seats, as these are reserved for those participating in the hearing session.

Livestreaming and Recording

The Local Plan Examination Hearing will be livestreamed and made available on the Council’s Youtube channel.  Watch Local Plan Examination hearings on Youtube  https://www.youtube.com/@horshamdistrictcouncil/streams

If you are watching live, navigate to the latest video. It will display the words "Local Plan Examination Hearing" in the thumbnail and a red "Live" logo in the corner.

If you are not watching live, any previous day's video will be marked with the date it was broadcast in the title. These videos can also be found in the playlist section under Local Plan Examination Hearing.

Parking

Parking is available at Piries Place Car Park and Swan Walk Car Park which is around a 5 to 10 min walk from the hearing venue. To view parking near the town centre and hearing venue please click here.

Participants and Hot seating

The Inspector has asked that I draw your attention to his examination guidance notes which explain among other things, the role of the Inspector and the purpose of the examination hearing sessions as these will be used to guide the discussion at the hearings. The Inspector will also give some brief opening remarks on day 1 of the hearings before considering the first Matter as detailed in his Matters Issues and Questions and Hearing Programme.

If you are participating in the hearing sessions, please refer to the latest published programme for the hearing times and check that you are listed as participating in all the hearing sessions you are due to participate in. If you are not listed as you expected, please contact the Programme Officer immediately. It is the responsibility of individual participants to check the latest timetable and to ensure that they are present at the correct time. The Programme Officer will endeavour to inform the participants of any late changes to the timetable, but it is the responsibility of participants to keep themselves up to date with the arrangements and programme. Participants need to be ready to attend the Reserve sessions indicated on the programme – these will be used, if necessary, to complete any unfinished sessions.

Nameplates are required for all participants, please ensure that you have provided the name(s) of all your participants to the Programme Officer so she can ensure that you have a name plate for your hearing session(s).

Seating at the hearing table is limited and it may be only possible to seat one participant per representor, limited hot seating will be provided. Hot seating is intended for active participants listed in the programme. A hot seat can only be provided if the person will be actively participating in the debate. Therefore, hot seating will not be available for support staff and contingents, and it is strongly encouraged that they only attend the hearings if necessary. If additional colleagues wish to attend but do not intend to speak, they are encouraged to watch the live stream remotely. Please ensure that the Programme Officer is informed of all your participants.

The hearings will take place in the Main Conference Room, if you are listed as a participant or additional participant then a nameplate will be placed at your seat. This is your designated seat, please do not move this or sit elsewhere.

The Planning Inspectorate have produced a short guide for those who might be participating in a local plan examination for the first time:

Local plans guide to taking part in examinations(opens new window)

Food and refreshments

The hearing venue is located on the edge of the Town Centre so there are a number of food purchase options available nearby.

Accessibility

The main entrance is wheelchair accessible and adapted toilets are provided at the venue. Hearing loop facilities are fitted as standard in the hearing room.

If you have any specific requirements, please let the Programme Officer know as soon as possible.

Plug sockets

There are limited plug sockets available, therefore, it is advised that any electronic equipment you require during the hearing is fully charged beforehand.