A town shaped by its airport neighbour
Gatwick Airport lies just south of Horley, and the town's growth through the twentieth century has been closely tied to the airport's own expansion, bringing housing development alongside the older centre around Horley's high street.
Briefly moved, then returned to Surrey
A local government reorganisation in the 1970s temporarily placed Horley within West Sussex, but local opposition led to it being returned to Surrey soon after, leaving the airport itself just across the county line.
Planning through Reigate and Banstead
Horley falls within Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, the same authority responsible for Reigate, despite sitting some distance to the south of it.
Frequently asked questions
Is Horley part of Surrey or West Sussex?+
Surrey. It was briefly placed in West Sussex following a 1970s boundary change, but was returned to Surrey after local opposition, even though Gatwick Airport itself stayed on the West Sussex side of the county line.
Which council handles planning in Horley?+
Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, the same authority that covers Reigate.
Nearby areas
Services
Useful local links
- Reigate and Banstead Borough Council – Planning — The planning authority covering Reigate itself, along with Redhill, Horley, Banstead and several nearby villages.
- Mole Valley District Council – Do I need planning permission — The planning authority covering Dorking, Ashtead, Leatherhead and several villages southwest of Reigate.
- Epsom and Ewell Borough Council – Planning permission — The planning authority covering Epsom, a separate borough from Reigate and Banstead.
- Tandridge District Council – Planning and building — The planning authority covering Caterham, Nutfield and South Nutfield.
- GOV.UK – Planning permission: when you need it — Government guidance on when planning permission is required in England and Wales.
- GOV.UK – Party Wall etc. Act 1996 guidance — Government guidance on notifying neighbours and resolving disputes over shared or boundary walls, relevant to attached garage conversions and extensions.
- Planning Portal – Garage conversion — National guidance on when planning permission is needed for a garage conversion in England.