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Chichester District Council planning officers have supported Martin Grant Homes’ outline application to build 223 homes on land at Loxwood Farm Place, off the High Street in Loxwood, north-east of Billingshurst, subject to a statutory agreement and conditions.
The proposal includes a nursery, open space, a playroom and allotments, with at least 40 percent of the homes to be affordable.
Access would be from the High Street through a separate housing development which is already permitted.
A new pedestrian and cycle route is proposed alongside an existing footpath, while a bridleway on the site would be modernised.
An artist’s impression of the proposals (Image: OSP Architecture)
Residents have lodged 124 objections to the scheme, with many focusing on concerns about waste water capacity, pressure on services, traffic and the loss of agricultural land.
The officer’s report states that the Loxwood waste water treatment works currently do not have the capacity for the proposed development and that the timing of the improvements is uncertain.
It says funding for additional capacity has been identified in Southern Water’s business plan 2025 to 2030.
Detailed matters for the development including the layout, appearance, scale and landscaping will require further approval when tender permission is granted.
Planning officials have proposed conditions requiring further information on capacity and upgrades when detailed plans are submitted.
They also suggested that before anyone can move in, capacity must be demonstrated or temporary measures agreed for a maximum of 12 months.
The site is outside the village settlement boundary but is identified for housing in the emerging neighborhood plan.
Officials say 165 homes remain to be delivered out of 220 allocated in Loxwood under the Local Plan, and the proposal would provide 58 more than the remaining requirement.
A final decision will be taken by the planning committee of the council on November 4.
