Southern Water should give evidence at Horsham Local Plan Examination

CPRE Sussex has asked the Planning Inspector to invite Southern Water representatives to the examination of the Horsham District Local Plan (2023–2040) to discuss Havant Thicket Reservoir delays.

Water supply resilience, abstraction restrictions, and historic water-neutrality requirements have significantly affected strategic planning and delivery across Horsham District.

Delaying a key regional water-resilience asset by five years may materially change the assumptions underpinning the Local Plan’s housing trajectory, infrastructure sequencing, and compliance with environmental obligations.

Southern Water’s direct participation is necessary to allow the examination to clarify supply mitigations and certainty of delivery. Without direct evidence from and questioning of Southern Water’s technical representatives, the Local Plan may rely on outdated infrastructure assumptions, weakening its effectiveness and legal soundness.

Read CPRE Sussex letter: CPRE Sussex HDLP Procedural Request for the Attention of Inspector J Bore MRTPI copy