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Planning Policy

Natural England Position Statement

Natural England released a Position Statement to the West Sussex County Council in October 2021, stating that it is uncertain whether the current abstraction in the area is negatively affecting the Arun Valley sites. The statement recommends that any development in the zone should not contribute to this impact.

To comply with The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, all planning applications must provide a water neutrality statement. This statement should confirm that there will be no rise in water usage, which can be achieved through water efficiency, recycling, and offsetting measures.

Click here for Full Position Statement

Sussex North Water Resource Zone

​The Sussex North Water Supply Zone includes supplies from a groundwater abstraction which cannot, with certainty, conclude no adverse effect on the integrity of:

  • Arun Valley Special Area Conservation (SAC)
  • Arun Valley Special Protection Area (SPA)
  • Arun Valley Ramsar Site.
Click here for the Water Neutrality Map

Planning Areas

Water Neutrality affects any development within the Sussex North Water Resource Zone including:​