Water agreement to allow 21,000 new homes to by built in Sussex

Michael Copleston, director of RSPB England, welcomed the decision, saying thousands of other species in the area could be protected.

Arun Valley is home to a variety of different wildlife including water voles, swans, gulls, ducks, egrets, kingfishers, amphibians and fish.

“There is still a lot of work to be done, we must make sure that the decision delivers for nature as well as enabling house building,” he added.

Steve Turner, executive director for Home Builders Federation, said the risk to the ramshorn snail as a consequence of water abstraction is “uncertain” and “largely unsubstantiated”.

“New homes are significantly more water efficient than older ones and the occupants moving in will use less water,” he said.

He added the government’s response was “sensible” to an issue that has had a “grave effect on desperately-needed housing supply”.

Defra says the building work will commence next month.