Inspired Villages overcomes Water Neutrality challenge to secure permission on Broadbridge Heath retirement community, West Sussex

• Resolution to Grant Approval for Reserved Matters for Phase 1 of Integrated Retirement Community including 47 homes and a vibrant village centre
• Work expected to start in Spring 2024

Thursday 23^rd November 2023 - Inspired Villages has achieved approval from Horsham District Council on Reserved Matters planning application to deliver Phase 1 of its Arun Lea retirement community, located within Broadbridge Heath, West Sussex.

Water neutrality, introduced by Natural England in September 2021, has been 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 were able to successfully demonstrate how its plan adheres to the latest water neutrality guidelines and reach agreement with the Council, Natural England and The Environment Agency.

In addition to 47 bespoke homes for over 65’s, 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. In addition to that, the works will see further areas for exclusive-use of residents including lounges and craft rooms.

The permission comes the same week Inspired sees the first residents move into its ninth community, Millfield Green, in Caddington, Bedfordshire. The new sites, including Arun Lea, will follow in Millfield Green’s trailblazing footsteps as the group’s first net zero village (regulated energy), incorporating efficient, innovative and sustainable design into its plans.

As well as the significant benefit to its residents, the 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 join Inspired’s Durrants Village to be the second village in West Sussex as it progresses its plan to create 34 integrated retirement communities, through its joint venture with Legal & General and Nat West 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 aging society[1], it was stated that 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 like Horsham, and others we work with, to create communities that support quality of life for our ageing population.”  

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About Inspired Villages

Established in 2017, Inspired Villages is an award-winning operator and developer of later living communities across the UK. 

Each village offers age-appropriate homes with a vibrant community at its heart that enriches the lives of both residents and wider communities thanks to its wellbeing facilities and activities on offer. Backed by a joint venture partnership between Legal & General and NatWest Group Pension Fund, Inspired Villages provides an outstanding lifestyle choice that promotes connected, independent living for longer.

www.inspiredvillages.co.uk