Elected members have raised alarms that a growing disparity has emerged between stated housing ambitions and the declining condition of core utilities, as water provision worries spread across the area.

Green Party representative Charlotte Keenan, serving the Lewes district, cautioned that substantial capacity limitations affect settlements positioned to the north of Lewes, highlighting that Ardingly reservoir levels persisted at alarmingly diminished volumes throughout the majority of the preceding twelve months.

This circumstance follows South East Water’s confirmation that accessible water reserves prove insufficient to accommodate the residential development quantities specified for Tonbridge and Malling in Kent, as outlined in their 2024 water resources management strategy.

Councillor Keenan warned that similar pressures are presently affecting the Lewes district area.

She said this marks the moment when real-world implications finally catch up with political commitments. Erecting tens of thousands of dwellings without adequate water supplies to serve them simply cannot happen. The situation is elementary. She noted that considerable capacity shortfalls impact communities north of Lewes. She added that the recent removal of water usage limitations ought not to be taken as evidence of system robustness, as Ardingly Reservoir stayed perilously depleted throughout last year, demonstrating just how vulnerable local supplies genuinely are. She said endorsing further residential schemes in areas devoid of sufficient infrastructure backing reflects dubious decision-making and represents an untenable approach.

Councillor Wendy Maples commented that for the first occasion, they observe candour from a utility operator, though this recognition arrives rather tardily. She said she expects South East Water and other companies, including Southern Water, will now furnish complete transparency concerning the complete scope of difficulties impacting the South East.

National targets prescribe building £1.5 million homes by 2029.

Councillor Johnny Denis attacked the top-down housing requirements imposed by national government that ignore genuine local circumstances.

He said utility infrastructure enhancement must receive priority. Building should happen in appropriate locations at suitable moments, not dictated by arbitrary national statistics. He warned that disregarding this principle will precipitate an intensifying emergency.

Nick Price, South East Water’s water resources director, explained that their water resources management plan undergoes revision every five years. They have commenced preparation of the forthcoming strategy, planned for publication in 2029. When formulating this plan, they will integrate the latest housing forecasts and consequently accommodate any projected additional residences. In the nearer term, their priorities centre on reducing distribution losses, promoting water efficiency measures, and they have begun installing network metering in anticipation of intelligent meter technology rollout. He said their WRMP24 was prepared adhering to statutory requirements, employing 2023 housing data and based on figures accessible from the most authoritative sources at that juncture.

He noted that consequently, WRMP24 does not encompass the significant rise in objectively assessed housing need now influencing Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council’s draft Local Plan, which has risen to 1,097 dwellings annually. As indicated in their consultation response to Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council’s Regulation 18 draft Local Plan, this gap signifies that their existing strategy fails to identify sufficient water supply capacity to sustain the growth levels now proposed since its release.

Nevertheless, he stated they maintain a statutory duty to link new residential buildings to the water supply network as they are erected and remain resolved to partnering with all interested parties to develop solutions. He said the supplementary residences proposed by Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council demonstrate precisely why improved coordination regarding the interface between construction development and natural infrastructure becomes imperative.

He noted they do not hold statutory consultee designation in planning submissions, meaning the additional properties could elevate water demand beyond projections contained in their 2024 WRMP. He said they will continue engaging with local authorities to identify emerging housing requirements and ascertain whether these can be accommodated within their current supply and demand projections prior to developing their next WRMP.