Inspired Villages overcomes water neutrality challenge to secure permission for West Sussex retirement community

Inspired Villages has achieved planning approval from Horsham District Council to deliver phase 1 of its Arun Lea retirement community in Broadbridge Heath, West Sussex.
Water neutrality was a significant technical hurdle to consider and overcome and this permission is one of the first to have been issued by the council for over two years. The forward-thinking design ensures the development has overall reduced water consumption and utilises on-site water abstraction boreholes. These elements meant Inspired Villages was able to successfully demonstrate how its plan adheres to the latest water neutrality guidelines and reach an agreement with the council, Natural England and The Environment Agency.
In addition to 47 bespoke homes for over 65s, phase 1 of the project will see the delivery of a vibrant village centre with facilities open to residents and the wider community including a swimming pool and spa, gym/fitness studio, treatment room, restaurant, coffee shop and bar.
The permission comes the same week Inspired sees the first residents move into its ninth community, Millfield Green, in Caddington, Bedfordshire. Inspired’s new sites, including Arun Lea, will follow in Millfield Green’s footsteps as the group’s first net zero village incorporating efficient, innovative and sustainable design into its plans.
The Arun Lea scheme will create 88 jobs per year during construction and up to 35 operational jobs once complete, bringing significant economic benefits and amenities to the local area, while also freeing up the housing market for young families.
Once all phases are complete, the community will provide 141 new homes and be Inspired’s second village in West Sussex as it progresses its plan to create 34 integrated retirement communities, through its joint venture with Legal & General and NatWest Group Pension Fund.
Neal Dale, chief development and property officer at Inspired Villages, said: “We’re delighted the Reserved Matters application has at long last been approved by the council. Water neutrality came in two years ago now and had a massive impact on the housebuilding activity across the region. It is pleasing that the tenacity of our internal and external teams has paid off with them working closely with the council to secure a very valuable permission allowing the business to now progress into the delivery phase as we go into 2024.”
“Our Durrants village in West Sussex is already fully occupied so Arun Lea will be a very welcome and important addition to our growing portfolio whilst supporting the need for more age-appropriate housing in the local area.”
“In the recently published Chief Medical Officer’s annual report on health in an ageing society, it was stated that the government and wider society need to plan to ensure that older age is as healthy, independent and enjoyable as possible into the future. That is exactly what we seek to achieve at Inspired and we’re delighted this is recognised at government level, and also locally from councils that we work with, to create communities that support quality of life for our ageing population.”
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