Plans to build new water-efficient homes approved

Plans to build new homes in a West Sussex village have been approved for a second time in a bid to reduce how much water the properties will use.

Horsham District Council reapproved the building of 25 new homes in Thakeham, on the site of the former Rushfields Nursery in High Bar Lane.

A committee had already given planning permission in November 2024, but the application returned to the table to help make the plans "water neutral".

Developers Reside will now have access to the Sussex North Offsetting Water Scheme (SNOWS), which will help to stop the project from putting further strain on water supplies in West Sussex.

Under the initiative, developers can access support to make projects "water neutral".

Water neutrality means the project will not increase the total water consumption within the region.

The High Bar Lane development will be made up of homes ranging from one to four bedrooms, with ten classed as affordable housing, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The project will also feature 61 parking spaces and electric vehicle charging points.

Horsham District Council's planning committee approved the application by 14 votes to one.

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