650 homes a year for Chichester? A27 junction changes and key employment sites? Have your say on Chichester’s Local Plan Review

People are being asked for their views about how and where development needs such as housing, employment and retail should be met and managed in Chichester District over the next 15 years.

The preferred approach document sets out the council’s proposed planning strategy for the period up to 2035.

The Local Plan does not include areas within the South Downs National Park. These areas are subject to a separate plan made by the South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA).

Councillor Tony Dignum, Leader of Chichester District Council said: “This consultation is extremely important as the Local Plan affects where we live, work and relax, where new shops and community facilities are built and it also protects our historic buildings and the natural environment.

“It is crucial that as many people as possible comment on the draft plan so that councillors are informed of public views before they consider any changes to the plan.”

People can view and comment on the draft plan at www.chichester.gov.uk/localplanreview

A guide on how to fill out the consultation is here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzC42F4Gz8YfYU0zZ3hFX0tRMGQtMDlxRWhVUHdDVFZMblhJ/view?fbclid=IwAR0Dp1qJ6FM2FxkXcI-TUEufDf_uU3VrdBFHGQH9HAHF5HcvGMpBOSf8VZ4

Key issues in the plan:

Housing for 650 new homes a year is outlined in the preferred approach document:

https://www.chichester.co.uk/news/politics/have-your-say-on-future-of-district-in-chichester-s-local-plan-review-1-8739735

Larger parish allocations and strategic sites are listed here: https://www.chichester.co.uk/news/politics/chichester-local-plan-review-more-new-houses-in-plan-up-to-2035-1-8697690

Hunston, the Witterings and Fishbourne are among the areas that have voiced concerns over the potential impact of housing on congestion and the

loss of rural areas.

Some parishes, such as Hunston, have resolved to decide where housing goes using a neighbourhood plan.

https://www.chichester.co.uk/news/politics/hunston-residents-unite-against-housing-increase-proposal-with-neighbourhood-plan-1-8726649

Fishbourne parish has said it will struggle to revise its neighbourhood plan given the village’s lack of facilities and suitable sites:

https://www.chichester.co.uk/news/politics/high-housing-figure-for-fishbourne-will-put-pressure-on-village-services-1-8792216

A new link road is proposed between Fishbourne Roundabout and the A286 Birdham Road (Policy AL6):

https://www.chichester.co.uk/news/transport/new-link-road-from-a286-to-the-a27-will-destroy-key-habitat-1-8773840

Chichester Harbour Trust is particularly concerned the strategic site and housing numbers on the edge of the conservation zone will cause ‘irretrievable’ damage:

https://www.chichester.co.uk/news/politics/chichester-harbour-trust-worries-future-housing-will-irretrievably-damage-conservation-area-1-8797835

Quite a lot of the transport detail is in the accompanying Transport Study by PBA, including upgrades to all A27 junctions on the bypass:

https://www.chichester.co.uk/news/politics/alternative-a27-upgrades-in-chichester-s-local-plan-may-cost-62million-1-8774072

Bus priority measures are also planned in the city and at Bognor Road roundabout to improve public transport links:

https://www.chichester.co.uk/news/transport/bus-lane-proposed-for-a259-bognor-road-onto-a27-to-cut-public-transport-travel-times-1-8765102

There are also key changes to planning policy, such as an adjustment that will allow more non-retail shops such as cafés in South Street (Proposed Retail Policy):

https://www.chichester.co.uk/news/business/more-eateries-could-be-allowed-in-chichester-s-south-street-1-8766032

And an exemption to make it easier to change the use of employment space such as offices and warehouses into leisure and community spaces, such as gyms (Policy DM9).

The council’s economic development service has said the Local Plan should support gyms:

https://www.chichester.co.uk/news/business/growing-demand-for-gyms-supports-plan-for-grit-gym-in-chichester-1-8767089

Residents will be able to comment on the Local Plan Review: Preferred Approach document until February 7.

All documents can be viewed at www.chichester.gov.uk/localplanreview.

Reference print copies will also be at Chichester Library, Selsey Library, Southbourne Library and the Chichester District Council offices at East Pallant House, Chichester, and the South Downs Centre in Midhurst.