Arundel and South Downs MP, Andrew Griffith and Worthing West MP, Sir Peter Bottomley, called a meeting with the Southern Water Chief Executive and stakeholder teams to discuss the water resources strategy plan on Thursday.
They were joined by Arun District Council’s Chief Executive James Hassett and Leader Cllr Shaun Gunner.
Concerns were raised about Southern Water’s role in responding to new planning applications. A further meeting will take place to discuss in greater detail Arun’s strategic allocations in the Local Plan. Southern Water acknowledged that there was an urgent need to protect the water supply and wastewater network capacity and to propose alternatives such as Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS).
The Water Resources Management Plan is open for consultation until 20th February. The plan proposes measures to reduce leaks on the pipe network and to increase the clean water supply through the proposed development of new reservoirs, desalination plants and water recycling.
Andrew Griffith said:
“On behalf of my constituents I am simply fed up of new development being piled on top of existing problems with Southern Water. Those need fixing first and I want Southern Water to speak out properly against new housing.”
You can have your say by going online to https://www.southernwater.co.uk/our-story/water-resources-management-plan. You can also write to Andrew Griffith MP at andrew.griffith.mp@parliament.uk, or writing to him at House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA.
