Petition to Michael Gove to fight against ‘urbanisation’ is delivered by ‘March for Manhood’ group

The fight to tackle ‘urbanisation’ has taken another set forward after a petition signed by more than 5,000 people was delivered to Michael Gove.
The fight to tackle ‘urbanisation’ has taken another set forward after a petition signed by more than 5,000 people was delivered to Michael Gove. Pic Courtesy of ZFV Photography SUS-220215-140625001The fight to tackle ‘urbanisation’ has taken another set forward after a petition signed by more than 5,000 people was delivered to Michael Gove. Pic Courtesy of ZFV Photography SUS-220215-140625001
The fight to tackle ‘urbanisation’ has taken another set forward after a petition signed by more than 5,000 people was delivered to Michael Gove. Pic Courtesy of ZFV Photography SUS-220215-140625001

March for Manhood group leaders Joan Foster, Melissa Smith, Andrew Kerry Bedell, Roger Mavity, sent the petition to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government in hopes of a response to the growing issue of what many people feel is the over-development of the Manhood Peninsula area to the South of Chichester.

The petition, signed by 5,195 people, has been sent to try and engage Mr Gove or his staff into conversation about the area’s development.

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It follows the protest on Saturday, January 30 in Chichester when the petition was given to a cardboard cut out of Mr Gove, but has since officially been given to the man in question.

In the letter the group emphasised the need for the point that the area ‘simply could not cope with any more housing.’

The petition also hoped that the strong local opinion could help change the Government’s views on the local housing arrangement:

“We have been campaigning for three years now and groups on the Manhood Peninsula and the Harbour Villages are working together and will continue to campaign until Government changes its housing allocation to Chichester District.

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“We hear repeatedly that the South East is full: Government planning needs to recognise that protection not over-development should be the aim.

The petition reiterated the local residents outrage and desire for the government to listen to their concerns. “The residents are furious at the number of current planning applications and the potential housing numbers.

“The residents’ fury is legitimate. Government’s algorithm for housing numbers generates a demand for 100 per cent of Chichester District, but as the South Downs National Park and Chichester Harbour Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty are rightly protected and occupy over 70 per cent of the area, less than 30 per cent is available to accommodate 100 per cent of the quota.

“We are not opposed to new house building, but it must be in the right place. With shockingly inadequate sewage disposal, no new jobs and dangerously overcrowded roads, this clearly is not the right place.”

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Chichester MP Gillian Keegan was invited to the protest that took place but could not attend to answer any concerns placed by local residents due to ‘prior engagements’.

The MP’s absence was noted by the protest march and her name was audibly booed whenever her name was mentioned.