The number of houses allocated to Loxwood should be revised to reflect an allocation of 125 houses as per the NP.

Whatever numbers are allocated no building work should commence until the required infrastructure work is scheduled with guaranteed delivery before any occupation of the homes.

Loxwood PC have prepared a revised Neighbourhood Plan (NP) including provision of 126 homes plus 17 carried forward from the previous Made NP. This was developed in 2021 – 2022 in consultation with the parish and CDC. Due to CDC’s lack of a 5 year housing supply there has been approval of additional speculative development of 91 houses.

The number of 126 houses was identified as the maximum that can be sustained in view of the infrastructure constraints impacting drainage, sewerage and water neutrality as well as the other obvious environmental impacts on wildlife, quality of life etc.

Recent speculative development of houses in Loxwood have resorted to a cesspit solution with daily collections of sewage waste. While this is intended to be a temporary solution the infrastructure provider (Southern Water) has no plans to upgrade the sewerage system.

Whatever number of houses are allocated to Loxwood none should be occupied until proper sewerage, drainage and water neutrality infrastructure has been scheduled with guaranteed delivery before occupation.

It seems that the increased numbers in the Local Plan are required to off-set a shortfall in numbers in the South of the district around Chichester. However, while growth in employment is projected in the south, none is expected in the north of the district and certainly none is provided for in the Water Neutrality Strategy. It is not sustainable to expect people to live in Loxwood and commute for work 25 miles away in Chichester.

Wherever Loxwood residents commute to work it is not possible using public transport. This is due to the lack of a viable regular bus service. While the plan suggests improvements to the bus service the reality is that bus services are being reduced throughout the country and it is not realistic to think Loxwood will be different. While the roads are reasonably safe for cyclists outside of the morning and evening ‘rush hours’ they are not safe for commuting. These limitations further constrain the viability of development in Loxwood.