A New Examination with a New Planning Inspector
A new District Plan Examination will shortly take place, following the earlier session in October 2024, which revealed several key issues. A new Planning Inspector has now been appointed to lead the process.
Since the previous Examination, new planning regulations have come into effect. These changes remove the Duty to Co‑operate requirement — a major sticking point during the 2024 hearings.
Hurstpierpoint Society’s Role in the Examination
The Hurstpierpoint Society will be actively involved in the Hearings and will appear during Week 3 to address traffic, and infrastructure implications for Hurstpierpoint.
In addition to the submissions already on record, we have submitted three new statements calling for greater clarity on local transport and infrastructure planning — and for recognition of potential detrimental effects on the Hurstpierpoint area.
Our new submissions include:
- Matter 7 DPSC 3‑7 – Land at Sayers Common
- Matter 7 DPSC1 – Land West of Burgess Hill and North of Hurstpierpoint
- Matter 7 DPA12 – Land West of Kemps, Hurstpierpoint
Other Local Groups Represented
Several other local organisations will also be making representations or appearing at the Examination, including:
- Hurstpierpoint & Sayers Common Parish Council
- Woodland Flora and Fauna Group
- WILD (Watchdog for Intrusive Local Development) – representing Albourne and Sayers Common
- CPRE Sussex
This collaborative approach ensures that a range of community and environmental concerns are heard.
Examination Schedule and Key Topics
The Planning Inspector has already provided comments and suggested modifications to Mid Sussex District Council (MSDC). The forthcoming Examination will take place across three weeks, focusing on the following themes:
Week 1 – Starting Tuesday 24 February 2026
- Housing requirement
- Supply and headroom (contingencies for changes in population etc)
Week 2 – Starting Tuesday 3 March 2026
- Homes to meet the needs of the community
- Meeting business and industrial needs
- The Spatial Strategy
- Selection of sites
Week 3 – Starting Tuesday 17 March 2026
- Major sites review in Sayers Common, Crabbet Park and Burgess Hill/Hurstpierpoint
- Smaller sites review in Borde Hill Lane, Haywards Heath, and Land West of Kemps, Hurstpierpoint.
Follow the Examination online
All related examination documents can be accessed on Mid Sussex District Council’s (MSDC) website.
Public Hearings will also be live‑streamed on YouTube, accessible through the link in the Examination News Updates – 20 February 2026 section on the MSDC site.