PLANNING APPROVAL FOR HORSHAM ENTERPRISE PARK
29 April 2026
Ayre Chamberlain Gaunt (ACG), working in collaboration with their client, Lovell Partnerships Ltd, has secured planning consent for the redevelopment of the former Novartis Pharmaceuticals site in Horsham, West Sussex, following a resolution to grant approval at planning committee.
The 2.72-hectare scheme will transform the site into a new residential-led neighbourhood delivering 204 high-quality homes while repurposing a locally listed heritage asset. The proposals will create a sustainable new community that connects the site to both the surrounding countryside and Horsham town centre. The masterplan is shaped by the site’s historic context, with a strong emphasis on landscape and public realm to create a walkable environment that promotes health and wellbeing.
The scheme comprises the adaptive reuse of an existing 1930s Art Deco commercial building, partially demolished and converted into 50 apartments, alongside the construction of 154 new apartments and townhouses, with 35% of the homes delivered as affordable housing. At the heart of the masterplan is the retained tower of the original Art Deco building, whose architectural character is celebrated and enhanced as a focal point for the new community, while a tree lined boulevard runs through the centre of the site, terminating in a landscaped green space in front of the building to create a clear spatial hierarchy and sense of arrival.
Building heights are carefully composed to respond to this central element, stepping up from two-storey mews houses to five-storey apartment buildings that flank the retained structure. The building’s central tower remains the tallest feature on the site, reinforcing its role as a local landmark and key part of the development’s identity.
Sensitive rebuilding of the original building wings and upgrade to the centrally retained tower will improve thermal performance and building safety, ensuring its long-term viability. New residential blocks have been designed to complement the heritage asset through their massing, material palette and architectural detailing, creating a cohesive yet contemporary setting.
The masterplan is organised into a series of distinct character areas, each defined by variations in brick tone that respond to and enhance the original tower setting. Metal cladding is used as a unifying secondary material across the development, featuring on upper storeys, balconies, window surrounds and infill elements to create a consistent architectural language. Landscape plays a central role throughout the scheme, with tree planting, green spaces and pedestrian routes prioritised to support biodiversity, encourage active travel and foster a strong sense of place.
“Securing planning permission marks a significant milestone for this project, our practice and our client. It is another big step towards unlocking what is an underutilised, long term vacant brownfield site within the centre of Horsham and will help bring much needed mixed tenure residential accommodation to the local market. Working with a heritage asset of this quality and the proactive Planning and Conservation teams at Horsham District Council has allowed Ayre Chamberlain Gaunt to help shape a place that is both rooted in its history and forward-looking in its approach to living. The proposals seek to enhance the existing building’s presence while creating a landscape-led neighbourhood that prioritises wellbeing, connectivity and architectural coherence.”
Marc Austin, Associate at Ayre Chamberlain Gaunt
“Lovell Partnerships are delighted to have secured planning approval for this exemplary project at Horsham Enterprise Park. The scheme presents an exciting opportunity to deliver high-quality new homes while respectfully celebrating the site’s valued heritage asset. Working in partnership with ACG throughout the process has been an extremely positive experience, and this collaborative approach is clearly reflected in the outstanding planning outcome achieved. We now look forward to bringing this vibrant new community to life for the people of Horsham.”
Leanne Smith, Regional Managing Director at Lovell Partnerships