Over 1000 Crawley homes delayed due to water restrictions

The regulations, which had been enforced by Natural England since 2021, had prevented any development that increases the overall use of water in Crawley from progressing. 

Natural England subsequently withdrew the restrictions in October 2025.

However, according to Crawley Borough Council, an extensive backlog has been created, including several large development schemes that have been delayed because of the previous restrictions. 

This includes plans to build more than 1,000 homes in total, including several applications to build housing in the town centre. 

The council is scheduling additional planning committee meetings in January and February to help catch up on the delayed applications. 

Five meetings are being held within the first ten weeks of the year, with 21 major applications needing to be considered by the committee.

The council previously announced a housing emergency in 2024 and spent more than £25 million on providing temporary accommodation between 2020 and 2025.

Councillor Tahira Rana, chair of the planning committee, said: "With water neutrality restrictions now lifted, our priority is to move forward at pace.

"By adding extra planning committee dates, we are making sure applications long held up through no fault of applicants can now progress.

"We’re committed to reducing delays, supporting much-needed housing as well as social and community facilities, and giving residents and developers confidence that Crawley is open for growth once again."

Plans for more than 21,000 homes primarily in Crawley, Horsham and Chichester have been delayed by the restrictions.

The rules had previously been put in place over concerns that groundwater abstraction by Southern Water may be harming internationally protected habitats in the Arun Valley.