Thousands of new homes in North Sussex have got the green light after a four-year hold-up, following an agreement between Government, regulators and industry.
The deal will see around 4,000 homes that were on hold move ahead, with a further 17,000 set to be built in the area.
This move supports the Government’s target to build 1.5 million homes by the end of this Parliament.
Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said: “This breakthrough ends a broken status quo and shows how we can build the homes the community needs while protecting nature.
“Under the government’s Plan for Change, we are taking a win-win approach that unlocks growth while protecting and restoring the natural world we all depend on.
“We are getting Britain building again while securing a brighter future for our precious wetlands, wildlife and local rivers.”
Defra’s water delivery taskforce led the talks, bringing together departments, water firms, regulators and developers to sort out issues.
Marian Spain, CEO of Natural England, said: “This type of sustainable development clearly shows how we can build the new homes this country needs while restoring and protecting nature.
“A thriving natural environment is at the heart of a strong economy and is vital to all of our health and wellbeing.
“We know that people want to live near nature and cases like this where sound nature regulations prompted innovative solutions mean we can continue to make that possible.”
Housing and Planning Minister Matthew Pennycook, said: “The breakthrough achieved in Sussex North demonstrates how through smart policy interventions we can unlock precisely the kind of win-win for development and nature that this government is committed to achieving.”
Building work had been on hold since 2021 over concerns about how much water was being taken from rivers and wetlands in the Arun Valley.
Work will start from 1st November, with local authorities and developers set to deliver homes built to high environmental standards.
Under the agreement, Southern Water will change its water abstraction permits to limit the amount of water taken from local rivers and wetlands and provide funding to restore habitats.
New homes will be built to higher water efficiency standards in line with building regulation guidance for water scarce areas, which will help reduce water use and ease pressure on local water sources.
