‘Planning reforms take little account of Sussex constraints’

The Observer’s excellent articles about the Government’s White Paper raise a number of issues.

Housing requirements are centrally derived by Government and are based on historic demographic and migration trends. They take little account of local geographical constraints. Chichester is sandwiched between the South Downs and the Harbour AONB.

Comment: Why Sussex residents should act now over planning reforms

Major development opportunities along the east/west corridor to achieve a 49 per cent uplift in new housing requirements are becoming more limited.

Housing quality and affordability is fundamental, as indicated by the Bishop of Chichester. His various points need to be fully reflected in the proposed Design Codes for Growth and Renewal areas.

Changes to infrastructure funding are important to the A27 and associated development. A bypass will not be completed for many years. In the meantime the junction and roundabout improvements set out in the council’s 2018 Transport Study should be implemented as a priority, together with park and ride sites, as with other historic cities.

Finally, the proposed reforms place even more importance on public involvement in the preparation of the next local plan. It will be too late to object to major planning applications once the local plan has designated an area for ‘growth’. Will our council engage in meaningful community involvement between councillors and officers to generate a robust joint response to the challenges posed by the planning White Paper? Online tick-box consultation is not the answer. Hopefully our council will listen.