Plans to build 3,000 homes West of Ifield validated by Horsham District Council

We're delighted to announce that Horsham District Council has validated Homes England’s hybrid planning application for Land West of Ifield and opened the proposals to public consultation.

Situated to the west of Crawley and near Gatwick Airport, the application covers up to 3,000 homes, with 35% designated as affordable housing to help ease local housing pressures, alongside new schools, a local centre, a new sports hub, and pedestrian and cycle routes. A decision is expected in early 2026.

Gillespies has supported the project since 2019, leading the landscape strategy and LVIA for the hybrid application. The masterplan proposes that around 50% of the 172-hectare site will become publicly accessible open space, characterised and structured by existing landscape features, including trees and watercourses, with a new 50ha country park set between areas of ancient woodland and flood meadows around the River Mole. Gillespies collaborated closely with masterplanners Prior + Partners, project managers Turner & Townsend, and a team of experts including Ramboll, Maccreanor Lavington and Pillory Barn, to create a design that respects the site’s diverse habitats, topography and heritage assets.

A Design Code accompanies the planning application to guide the delivery of high-quality development and provide a clear framework for the emerging community.

Sheena Bell, Associate Partner at Gillespies' Oxford studio, said: “This validation marks a key milestone for this landscape-led masterplan. Our approach responds to the tapestry of habitats, varied topography and heritage assets on site, to ensure the masterplan protects and respects these valuable features.”

Residents and stakeholders can review the submission and comment via Horsham District Council’s planning portal (search DC/25/1312)

Learn more about the project here.