Horsham Growth Deal

The Growth Deal sets out how West Sussex County Council and Horsham District council will work together over the next 5 years. We will improve roads, transport and other services, support new homes and jobs and bring more investment into the district.

We will use funding, resources and public land in the best way. Our goal is to create places where people can live, work and visit, while helping the local economy grow in a sustainable way.

After the first Growth Deal reached the end of its 5 year term, we have created a new agreement for the next 5 years. The updated deal sets out shared priorities and highlights projects that will help deliver new homes, business sites and infrastructure improvements.

The deal supports the wider economic goals for West Sussex and Horsham. It aims to:

• help businesses grow
• attract investment
• encourage new ideas and innovation
• improve transport and public spaces
• create more opportunities for local people

Priorities

The Growth Deal will support projects that:

• provide new homes and business space
• improve sustainable transport and local infrastructure
• connect new communities with Horsham town centre
• attract funding and investment to support the local economy

Mowbray Park Enterprise Hub

The councils will work with partners to explore the idea of a new Enterprise Hub at Mowbray Park.

The hub could offer flexible workspace for new businesses, small and medium-sized businesses, and companies developing new ideas. It would help businesses grow and create skilled jobs in Horsham district.

Partners will also help businesses work more closely with schools, colleges and innovation organisations. This will support new business ideas, skills development and growth in key sectors. The work will support the ongoing development of the North of Horsham site.

Sustainable transport corridors

Broadbridge Heath and Mowbray Park

The councils will continue developing sustainable transport routes between Horsham town centre and major housing and employment areas to the west and north of the town.

This work includes road and transport improvements, along with plans for new walking, wheeling and cycling routes. These improvements will make it easier for people to travel around the area and support the aims of the Horsham Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan.

Better Billingshurst improvements

The councils will work with local communities and other partners to create a Community Fund and Investment Programme for Billingshurst.

The programme will support projects that improve:

• connections around the area
• public spaces
• community facilities

These improvements will help support planned housing and job growth in Billingshurst.

Regional abattoir project

This project will support plans for a modern regional abattoir. The facility would strengthen the livestock supply chain and support the rural economy across Sussex and the South East.

The proposed facility would:

• support local food supply chains
• provide more processing capacity for local livestock farmers
• promote high standards of animal welfare and environmental management
• encourage organisations to work together
• help secure long-term investment in rural infrastructure

Horsham town centre and bus station improvements

Horsham District Council adopted the Horsham Town Centre Public Realm Strategy in March 2021.

Developing an investment strategy and delivery plan remains an important part of the Growth Deal. Work is underway on major improvements to the Bishopric and Carfax areas. The councils plan to deliver these improvements during the life of the new deal.

The programme also includes improvements to Horsham bus station. These changes will increase capacity and improve access for passengers. They will help the transport network meet future demand.

Hop Oast public estate

This project will explore ways to improve the public estate at Hop Oast.

The study will look at how people can make better use of the site. This could include redeveloping parts of the area, bringing services together in one place or creating commercial space. Any future plans will support economic growth and make the best use of this brownfield site.

Zero-emission bus infrastructure

The councils will work with partners, including bus operators, to identify what is needed to expand zero-emission bus services across Horsham district.

The work will:

• assess the operational and infrastructure needs
• identify possible sites for a bus depot
• consider the facilities needed to support zero-emission buses

Find out more about the programme on the Horsham District Council website.