Planning news: A word on water neutrality

The Government has now lifted a four-year pause on development in the Arun Valley as part of an agreement that will safeguard local wetlands and wildlife.

Responding to the update on water neutrality, Tim Slaney, Director of Placemaking at the National Park Authority, said: “Thriving nature underpins our entire economy and wellbeing, so we’re pleased that a positive way forward has been found around water neutrality that allows sustainable development while protecting our rivers, streams and biodiversity.

“We must continue to ensure that development conserves and enhances this treasured landscape and furthers our collective ambitions for cleaner, wildlife-rich waterways.

“This is going to require innovative solutions like we have seen in North Sussex.

“The new Local Plan is still evolving and the announcement will be taken into account in the next iteration of the plan due to be published for public comment in May 2026.”

Any guidance that may be required for applicants submitting planning applications will be published on our website in due course.

In 2021, Natural England issued a water neutrality position statement in relation to the Arun Valley.

As a result, new housing developments in parts of Horsham, Crawley and Chichester were paused.

This position statement was withdrawn in October 2025 because a solution has been found to protect the water source for the Arun Valley