Sustainability Appraisal and Habitats Regulation Assessment

Comment

Representation ID: 5731

Received: 17/03/2023

Respondent: Metis Homes

Agent: Nova Planning

Object to Land at Maudlin Farm, Westhampnett’ - did not feature at Regulation 18 stage. SA stated Southbourne development unlikely to be deliverable in first 5 years. Planning Ref. SB/22/01283/FULEIA for ‘Land at Harris Scrapyard & Oaks Farm’, (discrete land parcel of proposed BLD) would provide delivery of at least 50 dwellings in period to 2026 and 103 dwellings by 2027. Southern Water have confirmed suitable foul drainage can be accommodated for the development. SA therefore incorrect as proposed development can provide early housing delivery as part of BLD.

The site at Maudlin Farm was promoted to the Preferred Approach consultation (under Regulation 18) and subsequently assessed through the HELAA and SA.

It is acknowledged that there is currently headroom available at Thornham WwTW (as at March 2024) but this serves development not only in the Plan Area but also from Havant Borough. In addition available headroom can, depending on weather conditions, fluctuate year on year. As such, there is no certainty that capacity would be available to serve development. Southern Water’s DWMP identifies the need for capacity improvements at Thornham WwTW to serve future development, which are planned for the next AMP period (2025-2030).

It should also be noted that there is a difference between Southern Water’s legal obligation to provide developers with the right to connect to a public sewer regardless of capacity issues and delivering strategic infrastructure capacity through the AMP to accommodate future Local Plan growth.

It should be noted that planning permission for the development of the site being promoted was granted on appeal (18 September 2023) for 103 dwellings and associated infrastructure.