Water Neutrality Assessments & Statements
Water neutrality statements and offsetting calculations for developments in affected catchments — demonstrating no net increase in water demand to satisfy Natural England and your LPA.
Water Neutrality Assessments
In catchments where Natural England has raised water neutrality concerns — such as the Sussex North, Arun Valley and Sussex Coast areas — LPAs cannot grant planning permission unless a development is shown to be water neutral: using no more water after development than before. This affects new homes and many change-of-use and commercial schemes.
We prepare the water neutrality statement and supporting calculations: baseline and post-development water demand, the water-efficiency measures applied (fittings, appliances, rainwater/greywater reuse), and any offsetting needed to reach neutrality. The output is a clear statement your planning consultant can submit and Natural England can accept.
What the statement covers
- Baseline water-use assessment
- Post-development demand
- Water-efficiency measures
- Fittings & appliance specification
- Rainwater / greywater reuse options
- Offsetting requirement & strategy
- Neutrality calculation & narrative
- LPA / Natural England-ready statement
When you need a water neutrality statement
Development in an affected catchment usually can't be permitted without one.
Affected catchments
If your site is in the Sussex North, Arun or Sussex Coast (or another designated) catchment, the LPA needs evidence of water neutrality before granting permission.
New dwellings
New homes add water demand, so most residential schemes in affected areas need a neutrality statement and efficiency measures — often with offsetting.
Change of use
Converting a building to a more water-intensive use (e.g. to residential) can increase demand and trigger the requirement.
Stalled applications
Applications held up by a Natural England water-neutrality holding objection can be unlocked with a compliant statement and strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related services: Water Efficiency Calculations • Change of Use FRA • SuDS Drainage Strategies
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Site in a water-neutrality catchment?
Send us the site and unit numbers for a fixed-fee water neutrality quote within 24 hours.
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