‘Lower Graylingwell’ homes plan welcomed

Chichester District Council planning committee approved outline plans for the ‘lower Graylingwell’ site, subject to the progression of legal agreements.

Development of the 7.4 hectare part-brownfield site will see the retention and renovation of sports pitches and Martin’s Farm – a 19th century farmhouse.

Bosham councillor Myles Cullen said: “I am delighted that this is in front of us and I hope we move this on as quickly as possible.

“It allows us to get on with the last area in this area of the city and let those people be without building for the first time in about eight years.”

The application was brought to the committee by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and is separate to the ‘Graylingwell masterplan’, which has seen hundreds of homes built north of the site in recent years.

Access will be switched from the west to be from the east only, via Kingsmead Avenue and Graylingwell Drive, with a key access point for the University of Chichester included.

The latter will be subject to an easement being agreed between the university, the HCA and Linden Homes, which shares ownership of Graylingwell Drive with the HCA.

University vice chancellor Clive Beehag said: “I’m here to speak in support of the proposal. 60 per cent of students graduating move out of the area and one of the reasons is they cannot afford to live in the area.

“The increase in overall housing stock will be of huge benefit to the local economy and I have no doubt about that.”

The application was not opposed by consultees including Chichester City Council, the Environment Agency and the Chichester Society.

Chichester Community Development Trust welcomed the opportunity to manage the new community facilities planned, including the sports pitches and pavilion.

The planning committee voted to unanimously approve the plans, subject to completion of the section 106 agreement and sufficient progress on the easement.