Water neutrality support for Billingshurst Trade Park, Sussex

Dunmoore Group was granted planning permission for Phase 2 of the Billingshurst Trade Park.  The proposal was one of the first applications to be approved following the introduction of the water neutrality requirements within Horsham District Council.

The emergence of Natural England’s new guidance threatened to put plans at risk for the second phase of the trade park.  Phase 1 of the park was already approved, with occupants on site and investment in the necessary infrastructure.

The application was undetermined when Natural England released its position statement on water neutrality. Having previously advised on flood risk and drainage matters, Motion moved quickly to work with the client’s team to produce a water neutrality strategy for the scheme, helping to unlock further employment space at the site.

Most potable water is derived from ground or river water.  With Motion’s support, Dunmoore Group came up with a proposal which featured imaginative filtration of rainwater for drinking, to overcome the need for increased extraction at Southern Water’s Hardham borehole.

A post-occupation condition stipulates there should be sufficient water from the rainwater harvesting system to meet the demands of the units with a minimum of 35 days’ drought storage capacity.  This contrasts with the requirements of the British Standards Institution and other planning authorities in the area, who may only stipulate an 18-day storage capacity.

“The Motion team responded well to the new requirements, helping to pull the project together, work with specialist contractors, integrate the design and move the scheme from outline approval to clear passage through the detailed reserved matters stage.” 

Alex Marshall, Development Director at Dunmoore Group

Image Credit: © Cormack