Homes England Confirms Next Steps for West of Ifield Development

Overview

Homes England has issued notice to Ifield Golf Club (IGC) requiring vacant possession of the site by April 2027. Although only six months’ notice is required, an extended 16-month period has been provided to support the club’s transition and demobilisation at Ifield.

Homes England has been promoting land West of Ifield through the Horsham Local Plan since 2015. Prior to the agency’s involvement, the area - including land owned by Ifield Golf Club Limited (IGCL) - had already been promoted for development by a consortium of landowners and developers, with the expectation that the golf course use would ultimately cease.

The Agency’s mandate is to accelerate the delivery of new homes and infrastructure in areas where affordability is a significant challenge.

Plans for West of Ifield include around 3,000 new homes, alongside essential community infrastructure. A new secondary school - identified in the West Sussex School Places Plan as most suitably located within West of Ifield - is urgently needed to address existing pressures, with many local children currently travelling long distances for education.

National planning policy permits redevelopment of the land, subject to provision of alternative sports and recreation facilities.  Homes England’s planning application proposes a broad range of new sports and recreation amenities that significantly exceed policy requirements, including a new leisure centre and investment in other local golf facilities.

The first phase of development will be the Crawley Western Multi Modal Corridor, providing access to the future secondary school, which will be located on land at Ifield Golf Club. Subject to planning approval, construction is expected to begin in summer 2027.

The redevelopment of the golf course will also include a primary school with nursery provision, a significant nature conservation area, woodland buffers, ecological corridors, sports pitches, allotments, Ridgeway Park, and part of a new neighbourhood centre that includes a leisure centre, health centre, and community facilities.

As the government’s housing and regeneration agency, Homes England’s ambition is to create a well-connected, sustainable new community that delivers much-needed homes, jobs, schools, services and accessible green spaces for Horsham and Crawley residents.

Charlotte O’Mahony, Project Director at Homes England, said:

“Homes England has been clear throughout our engagement over the last six years that closure of Ifield Golf Course would be necessary to deliver essential local infrastructure. The notice served—far longer than the six months required - gives the Club and its members the time needed to plan for the future. Securing this land enables the earliest possible delivery of essential infrastructure, a new secondary school and new homes for local residents by 2029, alongside extensive green spaces and sports facilities.

We will continue to work with the community and stakeholders to ensure we deliver these commitments.”

Low resolution Masterplan for West of Ifield

Details from the masterplan of the southern residential area