What We Do
We deal with a wide range of issues concerning the local area including but not limited to…
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- Responding to planning application consultations
- monitoring large building projects such as the Highwood development
- Highways/ Cycling/ Parking matters
- signs and street lights
- Blueprint Neighbourhood Forum
- Town Centre & Horsham Park improvements
- Youth provision & Older People
- Neighbourhood Wardens (See Our Neighbourhood Page)
- The Environment
Horsham Denne Neighbourhood Council takes forward the concerns of residents to the appropriate authorities (such as West Sussex County Council and Horsham District Council) as well as other community and statutory bodies. We also attend Horsham Association of Local Councils (HALC) meetings.
Planning
We are consulted on all planning applications in our area, and consulted on policy (in particular, issues affecting Horsham town).
For more information visit our ‘Planning Applications‘ page.
Horsham Park
We have a Memorandum of Understanding with Horsham District Council which means we are consulted over issues relating to Horsham Park. We have regular meetings in the Park with HDC and The Friends of Horsham Park. See the News page for the latest information regarding the Park.
Youth Services
HDNC supports the work of the Community Youth Team which is run by 4TheYouth and is funded by the Special Charge. The team run club evenings, courses for young people in local schools, provide one-to-one support, as well as organising fun activities during the school holidays.
The Cafe in Hurst Road provides a place for young people aged 11+ to meet with friends, have fun and refreshments, and chat to Youth Workers.
Their Mobile Community Hub can be found in various locations including The Needles and Horsham Park.
Your HDNC Councillors
Are you passionate about the area where you live?
Do you, when you are in your neighbourhood or in Horsham town centre ever think ‘How was that allowed to happen?’
Would you like to have a say on what’s planned in Horsham?
Well, if you are a registered voter living in the Denne Neighbourhood area (which includes Horsham town centre, and marked in blue on the map), then you can have a say by joining us and becoming a Volunteer Neighbourhood Councillor for HDNC.
There are 11 positions for people, who can act as non-political ‘councillors’ to represent the views of themselves and other residents when consulted by Horsham District Council, WSCC and other groups on issues affecting Horsham. These can be for example, on planning applications, policing, Horsham Park, HDC planning strategies, parking, and youth issues to name but a few.
We generally meet once a month for an evening face to face meeting in Horsham. However, in between, Councillors are also kept well informed of news, events and information by email. You may also attend other relevant meetings and committees on behalf of HDNC and report back to the Council at the next meeting.
Through retirements and members moving out of region, we currently have vacancies open. So why not grab this opportunity to get involved? For further details of what we do, please see this information sheet.
If you would like to attend one of our meetings to find out more about what we do, you are more than welcome. Just contact our Clerk and let us know. Similarly, if you already know that you want to be involved, again please contact the Clerk to arrange your attendance at the next available meeting where you will meet the Chair and Clerk, to be approved and co-opted onto the Council.
Trudie Mitchell – Chairman
Joined: 2009
Trudie has lived off Hills Farm Lane for over twenty years and has a special interest in the West of Horsham (Highwood) Development. Trudie also represents HDNC on issues to do with roads and transport and Horsham Park. Trudie took over as Chairman in April 2012. She also sits on the HDNC Planning Committee with particular responsibility for major developments.
Ian Botting
Joined: 2011
Ian moved into Horsham in 1974, and over the years has seen fantastic changes to the town and the district. Retired now, Ian has been a member of HDNC since 2011. His role covers interfacing activities with Emergency Planning, Police and the Neighbourhood Wardens. He represents HDNC at Horsham Association of Local Councils (HALC) meetings with other Horsham District parishes, Horsham District Council and West Sussex County Council.
Gianni Lozzi – Treasurer
Joined: 2012
Gianni is the Treasurer.
Judy Pounds
Joined: 2012
Judy sits on the Planning Committee and represents HDNC in Youth Matters and Horsham Park. She has lived in Horsham since 1981. She has a background in HR and coaching and worked at the Citizens Advice Bureau for many years. She also has experience of running her own retail business in Horsham Town Centre.
Paul Sharman
Joined January 2022
Paul has lived in Denne neighbourhood for over thirty years and in recent times has seen Horsham change drastically. Now that he is retired from working for a planning consultant, where he did technical and support work, Paul feels that he now has the time to put something back in the community. His main outside interests are music and rewilding green spaces in the town. He is a member of the planning committee and set up Wild Denne (See the Wild Denne page).
Ruth Fletcher
Joined June 2022
Horsham has been Ruth’s home since 1987 and she brought up her family here. Ruth would like Horsham to be a place which is safe and attractive for people of all ages and abilities to walk, wheel and cycle for everyday short trips. As well as being a neighbourhood councillor, Ruth is a Horsham District councillor for Denne ward. You may spot her riding my bike -do say hi and tell her what matters to you locally.
Joanna Webb
Joined: October 2024
Jane Vaughan: Joined July 2025
Associated Colleagues:
Sara Doy – Clerk
Since: 2015
As Clerk, Sara is the only direct employee of HDNC. She is not a Councillor and therefore does not sit on any Committees, but instead takes care of all of the Council’s admin requirements.
Andrew Dickinson – Tree Warden
Since: 2013
Andrew investigates all planning applications in respect of trees in the HDNC area and makes his report and recommendation to the HDNC Planning Committee.