Developers could face tougher sewage regulations
GoogleDevelopers might have to show how sewage from new homes will be managed in those parts of West Sussex where the wastewater network is already under pressure.
A motion has been put forward by councillors to Arun District Council to investigate tougher planning requirements for developments in areas where sewage infrastructure is currently struggling to cope.
It highlights Lidsey, near Bognor Regis, and other places where capacity and performance issues exist.
One possible solution being mooted is the installation of storage tanks to hold sewage when the network is under pressure, before gradually releasing it once there is enough capacity.
The motion, which will be presented to full council later this month, says developers should provide a complete drainage plan, including how the system would work, its maintenance methods and how it would connect to Southern Water's network.
It also asks the council to look into preventing a development from going ahead or homes from being occupied until such requirements have been met.
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the motion asks that officers review which areas have sewer capacity problems, what improvements Southern Water is planning to make and how this may affect individual planning applications.
A report setting out the options and any recommendations is requested to go before the Planning Policy Committee on 21 January, 2027.
No new planning requirements would be introduced at this stage if approved.
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