These comments relate to the additional allocation of 125 houses to Loxwood.


I do not feel that the Local Plan in its current format meets the requirements for sustainability with regard to the proposed development of 125 additional homes in Loxwood. I understand that Southern Water has no plans to upgrade the sewage infrastructure in Loxwood and that there is no more capacity in the system locally to accommodate further developments. Indeed, the recent development in the centre of the village has to rely on holding tanks which are then emptied by tanker. This is of particular concern as parts of the village are prone to both fluvial and surface water flooding.

There is no opportunity for employment in the village and without the availability of a viable public transport system the only option for villagers is to commute to work by road.

I would question whether the addition of 125 further houses in Loxwood meet the requirements of your own tests for sustainability and therefore would suggest that the plan cannot be considered as sound as defined in the NPPF.

I am not aware that any consultation took place regarding the allocation of 125 additional houses to Loxwood when developing the draft local plan which is contrary to national planning guidance. Other villages in the parish have received no additional allocation and it appears that the allocation to Loxwood may have been driven by developers proposing sites rather than an equitable distribution of the additional developments throughout the parish.