Fitting water saving devices mean 206 Crawley affordable homes can go ahead

The plans, for 121 flats at the Longley House site, in East Park, and 85 homes on Breezehurst playing field, Bewbush, were originally given the nod in 2020 and 2021 respectively.

But that was scuppered after Natural England – the government’s adviser for the natural environment – published a Position Statement requiring new developments to achieve water neutrality in the Sussex North Water Supply Zone.

Essentially, the amount of water used after the homes were built had to be equal to or less than the usage beforehand.

During a meeting of the planning committee on Tuesday (August 30), members were told that, with one site having been an office block and the other a playing field, that was clearly not possible.

Instead, the council will fit flow-regulating devices – capable of reducing water consumption by an estimated 22 per cent – to around 1,000 of its Crawley Homes properties to offset the impact of the new flats and houses.

Members were told that no one would be able to move into the new homes until water neutrality had been demonstrated.

The council has already run a pilot scheme, fitting flow-regulators to 100 homes.

Questions were asked about how the equipment would impact everyday life when it came to, for example, running a shower or filling a kettle.

A report to the committee said: “The water savings are achieved primarily from fittings that run for a specific time, such as running taps and showers.

“However, the flow limiter does not have any effect on volume-limited fittings, such as toilets or baths.”

Sandra Buck, cabinet member for housing, said: “These two new developments will provide much-needed affordable housing for our town.

“In addition, the new-build properties will be highly water efficient, with retrofitted properties having improved water efficiency, so it is expected that occupants will benefit from reduced water bills, as well as reducing their energy consumption.

“We believe the lessons learned through this pilot initiative will benefit other local authorities in the region that are affected by water neutrality and could lead to this strategy being adopted on a wider basis.”